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
Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
But the government, Paul says, will keep facing fiscal standoffs.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 19 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
But their partnership would come to a head amid a dramatic standoff between DOJ and the White House over concerns about the legality of Bush’s sweeping surveillance program, with Mueller and other senior officials threatening to resign en masse.
—Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
But the government, Paul says, will keep facing fiscal standoffs.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
Her daughter stood off to the side, crying, watching her brother and mother get attacked.
—Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 19 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
-
Late last year, Descovich led a letter urging the federal government to cut ties with the SPLC.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
While primarily based in Los Angeles, Alec has maintained more visible ties to Michigan real estate, including a sizable lakefront home along Lake Michigan built in 2013.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
It has not been publicly released, and DHS did not respond to requests to explain if the halt was permanent.—
Molly A. Wallace,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The idea to launch a podcast began during the pandemic, when touring — and the world — came to a screeching halt.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Upon arrival, crews encountered a detached garage fire, with exposure concerns to nearby structures, the news release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The fire also damaged two neighboring houses and a detached garage.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The aircraft, carrying a flight instructor and student pilot, had climbed to roughly 1,700 feet before turning back toward the airport.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
An American journalist who was kidnapped in Baghdad had tried to cross from Syria into Iraq three weeks earlier and was initially turned back, an Iraqi official said Wednesday.—
Qassim Abdul-Zahra,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Guests are booking a room for this property’s remote draw, so there is likely a limit to what can be retrieved from the capital city and delivered quickly.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But nobody seemed bothered Saturday night by the new stadium’s location, or by the work left to be done finishing it, or by the long delay realizing this night, or even by settling for a draw.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The impasse in Washington is not directly correlated to the quality of work that TSA agents perform.—
Beth Collums,
AJC.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The impasse hasn’t stopped Anderson from flying the Yes flag on his own.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This film is about the government ordering the elderly to relocate to distant housing colonies to maximize economic productivity.—
Adam Bell
April 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And to look at a distant, standardized class of object (most often type Ia supernovae) in the Universe that can be observed at a variety of distances to extrapolate how the Universe has expanded over the timespan that the light has traveled from those objects to our eyes.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Amid ongoing concerns about rising inflation, some economists believe the central bank will hold off on rate cuts for all of 2026.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Elgin City Council members will hold off on approving an ordinance governing e-bikes and similar devices until it’s known if the General Assembly passes statewide rules this spring.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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