standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop

brought traffic to a standstill

Synonyms of standstill

• halt

Examples of standstill in a Sentence

The accident brought traffic to a standstill.

battled each other to a standstill

Recent Examples on the Web

Many controllers have been putting in long hours and mandatory overtime while lawmakers are at a standstill over how to reopen the government. —Rio Yamat, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025

What Happens Next Congress remains at a standstill over funding, meaning wages for federal workers remain on hold, as do vital services. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

When the Covid pandemic hit in early 2020, Navan went from growth mode to a complete standstill. —Michal Lev-Ram, Cnbc Contributor, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025

In February, ahead of March Madness, YouTube and Paramount found themselves at a standstill. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing standstill

• crawl to a stop/standstill

Rhymes for standstill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still -ˌstil 

: a state marked by absence of motion or activity : stop

traffic was at a standstill

Medical Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstand-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest

cardiac standstill