stand·off
ˈstand-ˌȯf 
1
2
: used for holding something at a distance from a surface
a standoff insulator
stood off; standing off; stands off
Examples of standoff in a Sentence
Noun
The two governments are currently in a standoff over who has rights to the land.
after two hours they had played to a 5–5 standoff
Adjective
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
Recent Examples on the Web
Nik Popli, Time, 10 Nov. 2025
Beginning October 1, 2025, the current shutdown has stretched into its 41st day, surpassing previous records and drawing comparisons to earlier political standoffs.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Maybe we’re supposed to believe that that promise is what compels Lee to stand off against Frank at One Well when a smart man would be running out the door.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
Advertisement Yet the practical realities of the standoff have become impossible to ignore.
—Nik Popli, Time, 10 Nov. 2025
Beginning October 1, 2025, the current shutdown has stretched into its 41st day, surpassing previous records and drawing comparisons to earlier political standoffs.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Following the verdict, Zwerner’s attorneys spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, with Zwerner herself standing off to the side with her family.
—Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Maybe we’re supposed to believe that that promise is what compels Lee to stand off against Frank at One Well when a smart man would be running out the door.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoff. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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