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
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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
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
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Recent Examples of standoff
Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The unrest also unfolds against the backdrop of a political standoff in Washington, where congressional Democrats have blocked DHS funding for more than two weeks in an effort to push ICE reforms.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 1 Nov. 2025
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
The hearing came amid a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, triggered last month when Senate Democrats blocked funding in a standoff over immigration enforcement practices.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
The unrest also unfolds against the backdrop of a political standoff in Washington, where congressional Democrats have blocked DHS funding for more than two weeks in an effort to push ICE reforms.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
At Big Ten Media Day in Chicago, Leger-Walker often stood off to the side, creating TikTok videos and social media content of Rice and senior center Lauren Betts.
—Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 1 Nov. 2025
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
-
Azerbaijan in recent years has developed ties with Israel and the United States, with Iran's influence in the South Caucasus region diminishing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Both Burkle and Anderson have ties to Sacramento.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Traffic through the critical waterway has since ground to a near halt, with vessels being attacked and insurers dropping maritime coverage.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Tanker traffic has ground to a near halt, 20% of global supply has been paralyzed, and the old-world energy order has been shaken.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The property’s biggest surprise may be its detached guest house, which is ready for visitors, multigenerational living or for working from home.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Senate Bill 1277 would cut text limiting what counts as an ADU, essentially allowing detached ADUs with the same consideration as apartments inside a home.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Once your pair crunchy snap peas with peppery arugula, a sweet and zippy homemade dressing, and garlicky toasted breadcrumbs, there is no turning back.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
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So, crude oil imported to California from the Gulf Coast states must first sail east to the Bahamas before turning back west to California.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 8, 2026.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After bargaining talks toward a new contract had reached an impasse, the union voted in January to authorize a strike.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Anderson says the men have reached an impasse and is asking a judge to dissolve their business connections.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Hare adds that this strategy will help eliminate the distant feeling that can exist in larger spaces or within more formal layouts.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2026
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On the other hand, their far more inefficient electrochemical distant cousin, the human body, generates enough heat to boil over 100 cups of tea daily and is literally just chillin'.—
Etiido Uko
March 04,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Vanderbilt got as close as 11 points in the final frame, but Ole Miss was able to hold off the Commodores’ comeback bid.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The combination of weak hiring and increasing inflationary pressures arising from the war creates a nightmare for the Federal Reserve, which must decide whether to cut interest rates to help the job market or hold off to help keep a lid on prices.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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