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
Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Though the children ended the standoff when the judge delayed enforcement of the order, Zahrt and Larson's custody battle did not end there.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
The National Guard, police and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
At least four Russian military satellites changed their orbits to match that of a Finnish-American radar surveillance satellite in the last week, raising questions about Russia’s intentions amid an ever-expanding standoff high above Earth.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026
Though the children ended the standoff when the judge delayed enforcement of the order, Zahrt and Larson's custody battle did not end there.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Verb
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
The National Guard, police and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
-
Add in singles by Jung Hoo Lee, a sacrifice fly by Daniel Susac, and an RBI single by Harrison Bader, and the Giants turned a tie ballgame into a 3-1 lead.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
-
Then Bella Perez hit a two-run home in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
As Russia’s advance stalls, Ukraine boosts long-range strikes After a series of gains last year, Russia’s advances along the over 600-mile front line have ground to a near halt recently, and Ukraine’s armed forces have launched successful counterstrikes and reclaimed some ground.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
The painstaking work of clearing depots has ground to a halt, overtaken by a more volatile reality.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Dominguez never managed to ingratiate himself with the players and Lillo became detached.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
The film centers on a pickpocket who survives by exploiting the desires of closeted men, until his detached worldview is upended when one of his marks returns seeking closeness rather than settling scores.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Dalot turns back inside, and then immediately looks to play over the high press.—
Jon Mackenzie,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
While the early 2000s have certainly been trending as part of streetwear and Gen Z style inspiration, several high-profile stars, like Lopez, have turned back to the 2000s for their red carpet and promotional tour looks.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The pools and beach area are a big draw for guests, but there is also a local membership option.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The regulatory amendments approved Tuesday allows two existing draw games — Megabucks and Mass Cash — also to be available via the iLottery platform.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Faye probably calculated that the move, announced late on Friday, could bury his own political career but was worth the risk to break an impasse that has prevented the country plotting a path out of its debilitating debt crisis.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
-
The rival teams were supposed to meet Sunday afternoon to figure a way out of the impasse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
All are available as ground-floor garden units (timber floors; a king-size bed centered on doors opening onto a private terrace and garden) or upstairs (mirrored in layout but with plush carpets and four-poster beds; views of the surrounding gardens and distant mountains from Juliet balconies).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
This magisterial polemic demonstrates how what may appear to be distant American history remains acutely relevant.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Kim Kardashian called on Lee to hold off on the execution for the testing, and the American Civil Liberties Union joined in the fight.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
That put him into the lead, but Suarez still had to hold off the leaders (all of them on four new tires, compared to Suarez’s two) twice on difficult restarts.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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