status quo

noun

-ˈkwō 

: the existing state of affairs

seeks to preserve the status quo

The book became a guide for many restaurateurs fed up with the status quo.

—Ali Francis

In much of the world, people are dissatisfied with the status quo and eager to see changes for the better.

—The Christian Science Monitor

Synonyms of status quo

• normality

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

Even in pro sports, leagues and players’ associations have operated for years in status quo. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026

While having some regulation is better than the city’s status quo, Montalvo argued the city’s proposals don’t address resident concerns around water use, electricity use, zoning regulations and noise pollution. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

The Mets need a change of philosophy and keeping Stearns as head of baseball operations is only going to be an extension of a status quo that clearly isn’t working. — Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

The 2026 World Cup, hosted on home soil, represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take a big step toward changing that status quo. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, state in which

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for status quo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

status quo

noun

sta·​tus quo

ˌstāt-ə-ˈskwō, 

ˌstat-

: the way things are now

chose to keep the status quo rather than make changes

Legal Definition

status quo

noun

-ˈkwō 

: 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