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
Relevance
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
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
Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
The standoff is especially fraught because Claude is currently the only AI model approved for use in the Pentagon’s classified systems and is deeply embedded in military workflows, meaning an abrupt break would be costly and disruptive.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2026
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
Tensions peaked in 2020, as a brawl in the high-altitude region of Ladakh killed at least 20 Indian soldiers, as well as an unconfirmed number of Chinese troops, and led to a two-year military standoff.
—Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
The standoff is especially fraught because Claude is currently the only AI model approved for use in the Pentagon’s classified systems and is deeply embedded in military workflows, meaning an abrupt break would be costly and disruptive.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 17 Feb. 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
As Morgan and Sasha chat it up at Noah’s family’s Purim party, a sad-eyed Esther stands off to the side, quietly watching the interaction.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
-
Rai led by one stroke when play was suspended Thursday but bogeyed 18 early Friday to drop into a tie and shot a second-round 70, leaving him tied for 12th with South African Aldrich Potgeiter, Ryan Fox and 2021 Genesis champion Max Homa at the halfway point.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But Ukraine’s successes came to a halt after the liberation of Kherson in November 2022.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Yes, all of these songs coast primarily on vibes—Joji’s delivery remains detached and clinical throughout—but at least the vibes are compelling.—
Mehan Jayasuriya,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
William Johnston, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, previously told USA TODAY that abstaining from eating meat is also a form of penance – admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
But the group was turned back by Syrian authorities to the Roj detention camp, due to unspecified procedural problems.—
Rod McGuirk,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.—
Jennifer Sangalang,
Florida Times-Union,
15 Feb. 2026
-
While each area has its draw, the one with the most dedicated local fans, and my personal favorite, is the Arts District.—
Mackenzie Jervis,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As lawmakers and the White House look to break the impasse, here are five things to know about the shutdown.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Though the impasse has revolved around immigration enforcement, the shutdown will impact other agencies under DHS' umbrella, including the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Genealogy investigations have had major success stories Successfully using the DNA of distant family members to profile and narrow down suspects had an extraordinarily high-profile debut in 2018, when it was used to solve the cold case of the Golden State Killer.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The oldest American woman to compete in the women’s singles event in nearly a century now sits in a distant 13th place ahead of the 4-minute free skate on Thursday night.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many airlines trimmed their domestic schedules last year, as economic concerns around shifting tariff policies caused price-sensitive travelers to hold off on buying flights.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Best Wayfair Furniture Deals One of my best shopping tips is to hold off on purchasing big-ticket items until there’s a sale.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
