: 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
While America has not hesitated to use oceanographic ships to send messages by transiting the Taiwan Strait or probing interesting waters near rivals, China has been far more adept at employing research ships to challenge status quo.
—
Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
With Optimus out of hiding, the Yaegers and Tessa's boyfriend, Shane Dyson (Jack Reynor), must join Optimus and the Autobots on a globetrotting quest to uncover the truth behind the new anti-Transformers status quo and prevent a new Cybertron invasion from happening on Earth.
—Rendy Jones August 27, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
This status quo cannot continue.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
Bright, stylish, and bespoke interiors are gaining altitude, thanks to designers long eager to break from the corporate status quo.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for status quo
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Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
With Optimus out of hiding, the Yaegers and Tessa's boyfriend, Shane Dyson (Jack Reynor), must join Optimus and the Autobots on a globetrotting quest to uncover the truth behind the new anti-Transformers status quo and prevent a new Cybertron invasion from happening on Earth.
—Rendy Jones August 27, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
This status quo cannot continue.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025
Bright, stylish, and bespoke interiors are gaining altitude, thanks to designers long eager to break from the corporate status quo.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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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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