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
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Their standoff ended in March 2025, when the ACC reached settlements with Florida State and Clemson, which had also explored leaving the league.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 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
But another standoff over the administration's policies could happen later this month.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Their standoff ended in March 2025, when the ACC reached settlements with Florida State and Clemson, which had also explored leaving the league.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 3 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
-
Ankara has long regarded the SDF as a terror group because of its ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that waged a longrunning insurgency in Turkey.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Beijing has spent decades growing its trade ties and bankrolling projects in the region, to boost transportation links and cut energy costs – cementing its own influence along the way.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Zelensky confirmed that discussions about a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure took place during trilateral meetings between US, Ukrainian and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi last week.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The dramatic halt may have been inevitable given how far and how fast metal prices had surged over the last year.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Ambiente features 40 atriums—all detached and private, with 180-degree views of nature—and rooftops that provide even better views.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
But sitting tight at one’s job has, for many, resulted in feeling detached, trapped, and resentful; over time, staying in a role you’re mentally checked out of can even fuel burnout.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nancy Guthrie’s home has been turned back over to Guthrie’s family.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
During a news conference on Tuesday, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said the house was turned back over to the family on Monday.—
Pat Milton,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Hoosier Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The parties appear at an impasse.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Although Mercury was close enough to the Sun and small enough that its atmosphere was fully stripped away long ago, Venus was more distant and more massive, and managed to hold onto its more massive molecular species, particularly its carbon dioxide.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The movie’s vision is one of arrangements and connections, stylistic and textural clashes of hulking buildings, stark forms seen in distant vistas, sublime coincidences of collective energy thrumming from generation to generation in the simultaneity of the physical city’s chronological strata.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On Wednesday, the Hawks came out of the gate with gusto to build up enough of a lead to hold off the Celtics and come away with a 117-106 victory.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
So, builders are projected to hold off on new building projects.—
Terri Williams,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
