: the existing state of affairs
seeks to preserve the status quo
Examples of status quo in a Sentence
He is content with the status quo and does not like change.
civic leaders who are afraid to do anything that might change the town's status quo
Recent Examples on the Web
The Iranian people look neither to the past nor the current status quo but forward—to a free and democratic future, where legitimacy derives solely from the ballot box.
—
Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Two sides abandon all perspective, politicians fail to broker between them, a sclerotic legal system draws out the stalemate, and the result is status quo, plus an infuriating escalation of costs.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 June 2025
The public school status quo isn’t working for students or taxpayers.
—Jordan Bruneau, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
In that document, China was called out for challenging the international order, partnering with Russia in its war against Ukraine and trying to change the region’s status quo by force.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for status quo
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Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Two sides abandon all perspective, politicians fail to broker between them, a sclerotic legal system draws out the stalemate, and the result is status quo, plus an infuriating escalation of costs.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 June 2025
The public school status quo isn’t working for students or taxpayers.
—Jordan Bruneau, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
In that document, China was called out for challenging the international order, partnering with Russia in its war against Ukraine and trying to change the region’s status quo by force.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for status quo
Cite this Entry
“Status quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status%20quo. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
status quo
noun
: the existing state of affairs
specifically
: the last actual and uncontested state of affairs that preceded a controversy and that is to be preserved by preliminary injunction compare status quo ante
Etymology
Latin, state in which
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