standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
With lawmakers at a standstill over the government shutdown, some officials want to pass a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government's doors until late next year.
—
Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Congress, meanwhile, is at a standstill as Democrats push to update the latest spending bill to keep coverage for millions of Americans under Medicaid.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
After Robbie dies in Episode 6, Maeve finds herself at a standstill in processing the loss of her uncle, while also simultaneously figuring out how to survive with her niece and nephew after Robbie’s death.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Negotiations were at a standstill.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standstill
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Zac Anderson, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Congress, meanwhile, is at a standstill as Democrats push to update the latest spending bill to keep coverage for millions of Americans under Medicaid.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
After Robbie dies in Episode 6, Maeve finds herself at a standstill in processing the loss of her uncle, while also simultaneously figuring out how to survive with her niece and nephew after Robbie’s death.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Negotiations were at a standstill.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
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