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
Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
But the pressure is real, the standoff is ongoing, and the filibuster’s survival is once again on the table.
—Tony Vanderhoef, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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
And thus began a most surreal standoff.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
But the pressure is real, the standoff is ongoing, and the filibuster’s survival is once again on the table.
—Tony Vanderhoef, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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
-
Orbán, who refused to sever Hungary’s ties to Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has repeatedly obstructed European efforts to aid Kyiv.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The recent run-up in energy prices ties back to oil.—
Greg Iacurci,Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The bridge plunged into the Patapsco River below, killing six construction workers and bringing the major shipping artery at the Port of Baltimore to a screeching halt.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had repeatedly proposed a halt to fighting for Orthodox Easter.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The title may be clinical and detached; the image on its cover is anything but.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 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 only way forward is to scour the space for signs of anything out of the ordinary, from changes in the ads on the wall to a sudden flood that threatens to wash you away, and to turn back if there’s an anomaly.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Trains are turning back at Pearl/Arts District, Deep Ellum, Victory and EBJ Union stations.—
CBS Texas Staff,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Napoli conceded a goal after 33 seconds in a draw that may end its chances of successfully defending the Serie A title.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, Berterame was ruled offside, and another match filled with mixed results ended with what’s become an all-too familiar result of late for the home side as Inter Miami finished with a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The impasse raises new questions about Lebanon.—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The interview, which will be published in full on Sunday online, comes as talks between Washington and Havana seem to have hit an impasse.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The war is a distant drumbeat, its threat ever audible to Steele’s underemployed, eminently draftable characters from 9,000 miles away.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The 2025 rediscoveries serve as a reminder that even species unseen for decades may still persist in remote corners of the world — and that the work of birdwatchers and researchers scanning distant forests and islands continues to make a difference.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It's ensnared all kinds of products, including phones, laptops, and consoles, forcing consumers to pay more or hold off on purchases.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Anthropic's decision to hold off on releasing Mythos and launching Project Glasswing aligns with that image, noted Columbia Business School marketing lecturer Malek Ben Sliman.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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