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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of standoff
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
The drone was not the only piece of new technology deployed during the standoff.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Following an awkward standoff, Devers eventually relented and walked off the field, hiding his face in his helmet.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 June 2026
The drone was not the only piece of new technology deployed during the standoff.
—Steve Large, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Verb
Already ahead on the scoreboard from the ninth minute, Arsenal could stand off and allow their opponents to work themselves into a frenzy.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
-
Minnesota's ties to slavery, the Civil War and the Juneteenth holiday sent many to Fort Snelling for a tour on Friday.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
There is no distinction for a behest given to a charity with direct ties to the politician, but maybe there should be.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Road blockades have caused shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies in parts of the country and ground the economy to a halt over the past 50 days.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
-
The ceasefire in the MOU extends to a halt in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, requiring Israel to withdraw from Lebanon under a final deal that Trump hopes to reach within 60 days.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
They got approved for a mortgage on a £150,000 (about $198,441) two-bedroom, semi-detached house in Seaham, England.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
-
Olise has purposefully cultivated a kind of detached non-persona.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Beyond markets, investors are also watching geopolitical risks, with attention turning back to the Middle East.—
Justina Lee,
CNBC,
24 June 2026
-
That’s why the oil market won’t instantly turn back on like a light switch even as the Strait of Hormuz has reopened.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
The teen, who attended Monday’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand and has a ticket for Sunday’s match against Belgium, is one of several fans from Los Angeles who made the drive to stay with the team.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
Simultaneously, contract negotiations with center Walker Kessler are at an impasse over a five-year, $140 million offer, with Kessler reportedly frustrated.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
The impasse is amplified by the Department of the Interior staffing and budget cuts.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Assemblymember Alex Bores, had 35%, followed by Schlossberg, who trailed in a distant third with less than 11%.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
-
Wet paint auctions feel like a distant memory, with frivolous, speculative art buying, especially from 2020 to 2022, now being passé.—
George Nelson,
ARTnews.com,
24 June 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday, showers and storms should hold off until after sunset.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Conservative radio host Mark Levin suggested a strategic rethinking to hold off on an agreement with Iran until after the midterms.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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