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
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Recent Examples of standoff
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
The standoff is increasingly putting pressure on the global economy, driving up prices and leading to shortages of fuel and other products tied to the oil industry.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
The National Guard, police and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
Police Chief Gary Berg lauded his officers for securing a peaceful end to the standoff.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
The standoff is increasingly putting pressure on the global economy, driving up prices and leading to shortages of fuel and other products tied to the oil industry.
—ABC News, 2 May 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
The National Guard, police and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
-
Last Saturday marked the fourth time this season the club lost a win or a tie after the 80th minute.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
That puts him in a tie with four other players for the league lead in goals, including Marner, who now paces the NHL in points with 13.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
At the climax, the music, seemingly stuck in a digital rut, comes to a halt as a static image of Charli is busted through by a bunch of young men seemingly bringing a mosh pit out into the open.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
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So far, Aoun has refused to engage in face-to-face discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding a complete halt to Israeli fire on the country.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The treatments were carried out at Ali’s semi-detached home in Leicester, which was described by investigators and witnesses as unsanitary and unsuitable for clinical care, the news outlet reported.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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The property also features a detached, two-story guest house with two independent living spaces.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mike Conley turned back the clock and hit four threes for the club.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
-
There's no need for Cher to want to turn back time, as the music legend arrived at the Met Gala in black lace and leather.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
5 May 2026
Noun
-
This freedom from conventional assumptions was, for me, both the draw of debate and its abiding lesson.—
Eli Durst,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The Courage, meanwhile, fell to two wins, three draws and two losses.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Iran has only accelerated efforts to retrieve its munitions in recent days as the potential for the war to resume increases with peace negotiations at an apparent impasse, the sources said.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
The impasse was prompted by congressional Democrats' demands for immigration enforcement reforms after the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minnesota earlier this year.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
As part of the regional consolidation, offices in distant counties could now answer calls and schedule appointments for Jean’s office, and vice versa.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
The production is cold, distant, and uncertain, like the world lately, but within the song the lyrics feel warm and comforting.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
And local soccer fans may want to hold off on the chants.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
With the latest employment report showing signs of improvement in the labor market, Angelo Kourkafas, senior strategist at Edward Jones, said the Federal Reserve will likely hold off on interest rate cuts as policymakers assess the impact of surging energy costs from the Iran war.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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