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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoff
Max Zahn, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The company is set to develop a fictional universe inspired by the negotiator’s vast experience in mediating high-pressure situations such as nuclear standoffs, labor disputes and peace talks across four continents.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 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
What does the standoff mean for interest rates?
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
The company is set to develop a fictional universe inspired by the negotiator’s vast experience in mediating high-pressure situations such as nuclear standoffs, labor disputes and peace talks across four continents.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 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
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Late in the first half, the senior midfielder ripped in a free kick from 35 yards to help visiting Providence earn a 1-1 tie against crosstown rival Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Also in the Trinity League on Friday, JSerra moved into a second-place tie with Santa Margarita with a 2-0 win against Mater Dei.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Which is why Michael’s final cut screeches to a halt in 1988, just as the star has broken out from his family and reached a new zenith as a solo performer.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Covid pandemic brought production to a halt, and then the writers and actors guild strikes shut down production again for months in 2023.—
Julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The tornado sucked out the front window of his house and ripped the door off his detached garage.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
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Gemini, however, brings the sparkle of clever insight, but their playful approach thrives more in detached, light-hearted settings.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In midst of the 1996-1997 race and battling hurricane-force winds and waves reaching six stories high, Goss decided to turn back into the storm to save fellow competitor Raphaël Dinelli, whose boat had capsized thousands of miles from land.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
22 Apr. 2026
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On April 21, shortly after passing Sri Lanka, the tanker made an abrupt course change — first a sharp 90-degree turn to the south, then another sharp 90-degree turn back east.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Real Madrid’s draw with Real Betis on Friday night and Barca’s win against Getafe widened the gap between the two to 11 points.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The club has not scored more than two in MLS play since a 3-3 draw against Dallas on March 14.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That report goes to the school board, which then holds its own impasse hearing and makes a decision.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Oil was again trading at over $100 a barrel Thursday as the impasse continued to disrupt shipping through the strait, a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of the world's crude oil and natural gas.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The committee launched a parallel investigation into whether Cawthorn was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, his distant cousin, after explicit videos and photographs circulated of Cawthorn.—
Mary Ramsey
April 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Apr. 2026
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Flying cars — the quintessential technology used by pop culture to portray a distant future.—
News Service Of Florida,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Winters played well enough to hold off Martin, who was a third-round pick who was supposed to push for a starting spot.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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