standoff 1 of 3

1
as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other after two hours they had played to a 5-5 standoff

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2
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in the standoff continued for three days before the fugitive gave himself up to the authorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

stand off

3 of 3

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stand off
Noun
But earth sign parents can also lean toward being stubborn and strict, which may cause friction during a stand off or while navigating discipline or tough conversations. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 15 July 2025 Protesters stand off against federal immigration agents Thursday near Camarillo, Calif. Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 11 July 2025
Adjective
Disney made no editorial or content concessions to Sinclair or Nexstar in resolving the standoffs, according to a person familiar with the matter. Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025 James was arrested after an hours-long standoff with police. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stand off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand off
Noun
  • Personal industry ties aside, Harshbarger’s campaign receives significant funding from organizations and individuals with a financial interest in compounding being made easier.
    Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025
  • And recent leaks have brought back to the forefront Sarah Ferguson’s ties to Epstein, as well.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There have been a lot of calls for arms embargoes and a halt to aid for Israel.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Tourism ground to a halt just ahead of October, the biggest season for visitors.
    Laura Hackett, NPR, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Due to his austere and detached manner, he is known to immediately inspire awe in his patients.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The consensus narrative of institutional finance has become so detached from empirical reality that diagnosing the problem requires abandoning its vocabulary for the precision of mathematics.
    Benjamin D. Summers, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • While not touted as an anti-aging serum, the cream’s ability to plump up tired-appearing skin can help turn back the clock.
    Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
  • But is there a way to turn back?
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Puerto Rico Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
    Jay Cannon, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • On the other hand, Atlético has half the points by accumulating two wins, three draws, and one loss.
    Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Bailey argued that the district’s dispute with local police departments over its requirement that officers participate in diversity training — an impasse that resulted in some departments leaving schools without resource officers — had left students vulnerable.
    Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Some Republicans see the shutdown impasse as a gift.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rideshare missions to low-Earth orbit are becoming more common, but spacecraft departing for more distant destinations like the L1 Lagrange point are rare.
    Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Detainees are currently sent to distant jails in Vernon and Johnson County.
    PJ Green September 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Part of the challenge, Barra said, was knowing how long the company could hold off before making decisions on which vehicles to produce as gas-propulsion or battery electric.
    Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
  • So nice for the Padres to hold off on their postseason celebration until this homestand.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stand off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20off. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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