Synonyms of standoff

standoff 1 of 3

noun

ˈstand-ˌȯf 

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

• tie
• draw
• stalemate
• deadlock
• dead heat
• impasse
• seesaw
• horse race
• toss-up
• photo finish

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

• halt
• impasse
• deadlock
• stalemate
• standstill
• gridlock
• predicament
• jam
• logjam
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• problem
• pickle
• quandary
• hole
• plight
• bottleneck
• dead end
• bind
• quagmire
• corner
• morass
• fix
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

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

• detached
• distant
• cold
• remote
• cool
• dry
• withdrawn
• clinical
• silent
• reserved
• standoffish
• unbending
• frosty
• antisocial
• professional
• aloof
• timid
• cold-eyed
• unsociable
• asocial
• shy
• offish
• hard
• unclubbable
• buttoned-up
• reclusive
• dispassionate
• introverted
• unsocial
• misanthropic
• unconcerned
• indifferent
• indrawn
• apathetic
• taciturn
• impersonal
• disinterested
• recessive
• uninterested
• uncommunicative
• reticent
• incurious
• diffident
• clubbish
• nongregarious
• cliquish
• cliquey

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• social
• friendly
• warm
• cordial
• convivial
• sociable
• expansive
• communicative
• companionable
• outgoing
• boon
• talkative
• extroverted
• gregarious
• garrulous
• clubby
• hospitable
• congenial
• affable
• amiable
• neighborly
• genial
• gracious
• folksy
• agreeable
• clubbable
• kindly

stand off

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn back

Related Words

• turn back
• hold off
• resist
• withstand
• oppose
• turn away
• fend (off)
• stave off
• beat off
• fight
• defy
• ward (off)
• rebut
• repel
• deflect
• repulse
• spurn
• rebuff
• snub

Dissimilar Words

• welcome
• embrace
• hail

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of standoff

Noun

At one point during Paramount’s tense standoff with the state attorneys general, the company threatened to move its headquarters out of Los Angeles — a threat that many viewed as an effort to twist Bonta’s arm into cutting a favorable deal. — Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The standoff and shooting had residents on edge, and kept firefighters from being able to respond. — Breaking News, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

Verb

It was founded in 1950 as a humble fruit stand off of Highway 40 by Sam and Sally Ikeda, Derek Ikeda’s grandparents. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026

After their initial embrace, Dart stood off to the side to listen to Carter speak. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026

Phrases Containing standoff

• Mexican standoff