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

With this offensive, the Houthis have shattered a status quo along the coast, upended a truce that had largely held since 2022, and set the stage for further consolidation of their control of the north. — April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026

Instead, both political parties have protected a status quo utterly devoid of it, that routinely leaves patients to fight for their lives, equipped with nothing more than the love of their friends. — Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026

This status quo starts to change when Ruthie gets pregnant via extramarital affair and moves to New York to figure out her life. — Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

London City Lionesses finished sixth last season but have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, signalling a shift in the league’s status quo. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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