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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of stand off
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 11 July 2025
As Shallow began dancing on stage, she lip-synced to Jan's vocals, while the drag superstar stood off stage deepening her voice to mimic Mariano's Boston accent.
—EW.com, 10 July 2025
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The closest precedent to today’s standoff was in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.
—Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Noun
Protesters stand off against federal immigration agents Thursday near Camarillo, Calif.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 11 July 2025
As Shallow began dancing on stage, she lip-synced to Jan's vocals, while the drag superstar stood off stage deepening her voice to mimic Mariano's Boston accent.
—EW.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
But what seems like a windfall quickly spirals into a chain of betrayal, junkyard standoffs and escalating violence.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The closest precedent to today’s standoff was in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea.
—Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand off
Noun
-
The Dolphins would never willingly take on almost $80 million in dead space, and the team has also not shown any signs of even benching the star quarterback, much less cutting ties with him altogether.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
These cable ties come in a pack of 24 and can be used over and over again.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The complaint also seeks the halt of all work on the project, pending the investigation the petition seeks.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Instantly, traffic came to a halt on the busy corridor in Everett.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jorma Taccone, the Lonely Island member and former Saturday Night Live writer, suffered a shattered pelvis and a detached sacrum in a 20-foot fall from a ladder at his farmhouse in Connecticut.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
3 Sep. 2025
-
For leaders wary of appearing cold or detached, the appeal is undeniable.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Solomon, whose career has included penning big franchises (Bill & Ted, Men in Black), saw The Christophers as part of a larger turn back to first principles.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Carolina started its season with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Fort Lauderdale, highlighted by Mercado’s league-record goal in her debut and a stoppage-time equalizer by Audrey Harding.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Barcelona’s thrashing of Alhama was the match with the most interventions (12) and the only game in which there were no challenges was Athletic Club’s goalless draw with CD Tenerife.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Maybe Tom noticed the group was still at an impasse with three minutes to go.—
Tessa West,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The impasse got the attention of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who expressed impatience with it even though his agency does not have jurisdiction in carriage disputes.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles, clouding skies and choking air quality in distant cities.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The comet will be too distant for a real close-up look.—
Andrew Jones,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Tribune reported last week that HUD asked CHA to hold off on Burnett’s appointment in response to a letter Brewer sent to the federal agency that outlined Burnett’s potential conflicts of interest.—
Lizzie Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Sep. 2025
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The Brew Crew have won only seven while losing 10 since the streak ended, and their rapid bullpen attrition will only make their ability to hold off the Cubs over the final month of the season more difficult.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stand off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20off. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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