standoff 1 of 3

noun

ˈstand-ˌȯf How to pronounce standoff (audio)
Definition of standoffnext
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

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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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stand off

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn back

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of standoff
Noun
Police arrested Chad Haworth, 54, after an hours-long standoff. — Jason Rantala, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 Police officers arrested a Libertarian candidate for the North Carolina Senate on Monday after an hourslong armed standoff with the aspiring politician. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 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 See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
  1. tie
  2. halt
  3. detached
  4. turn back
  5. draw
  6. impasse
  7. distant
  8. hold off
Noun
  • Democratic men have been hard at work on their public image since the 2024 election, largely distancing themselves from the MAGA look and its too-large suits and extra-wide ties.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Chan — who immigrated to the city from Hong Kong at age 13 and has deep ties to its large Chinese and immigrant communities — was a community and legislative aide for years, including for then-Dist.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • Things came to a sudden halt on July 7, when Murphy died at the age of 32 in what authorities have ruled an apparent drowning.
    — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
  • In the years since the COVID-19 lockdown brought the subway system to a halt — and clipped many a commute by moving work out of the office — 2019 subway ridership has been treated as a benchmark of the city’s revival.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of halt
Adjective
  • The problem is the acting, which is broad, detached and, frankly, often amateurish.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The exterior entry and upper-level access of the detached, two-story guesthouse.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of detached
Verb
  • Activists say their new constitutional amendment will help ensure that Virginia stays a safe haven for access, even if the state turns back to Republican control in future years.
    — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 4 Nov. 2026
  • However, investors on Tuesday are turning back to semiconductors and power, electrical equipment, and liquid cooling providers like Eaton , which posted strong quarterly results and raised its full-year outlook.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of turn back
Noun
  • British Vogue’s November 2025 reporting examined how that unconventional shape became part of the draw for fashion shoppers.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In the evening draw, when the day is done, the lucky numbers were 1, 2, 10,17 and 23.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of draw
Noun
  • Finally, while frustrated by his years of struggle and especially the hurtful impact that this impasse has had on the lives of millions of Dreamers, Durbin projects confidence that this cause will prevail.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Official conversations — those at the bargaining table — were stalled from late July to October when the Public Employment Relations Board declared an impasse.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of impasse
Adjective
  • Another fascinating possibility nuclear-electric thrusters open is missions into interstellar space and the distant Oort cloud within a single lifetime.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The metropolis appears to be on the outside looking in, with Las Vegas and Seattle considered distant frontrunners to land the 31st and 32nd teams.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of distant
Verb
  • Across the state in NC-01, Democratic incumbent Don Davis hopes to hold off Republican Laurie Buckhout in a district NC Republicans redrew to unseat Davis.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The Lakers also played Friday and then had to hold off the Raptors on Sunday night, but Doncic was still in his groove.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of hold off

Phrases Containing standoff

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stand-ins
standoff
stand off
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Cite this Entry

“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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