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

The positives about Lurie, who ousted former Mayor London Breed in late 2024, were propelled by a coalition of voters unhappy with his city’s previous status quo. —Thomas D. Elias, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Our energy unaffordability crisis is the product of the fossil-fuel status quo and an aging energy infrastructure. —Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026

Both parties will operate under a status quo agreement that is standard across many industries, allowing business to continue as usual while labor negotiations proceed. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

While the future outlook is unpredictable, the current status quo at the Panama Canal remains unchanged. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 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