STANDING OFF Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

standing off

verb

present participle of stand off

as in holding off

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for standing off

Verb

Reinhart’s vintage Elie Saab moment comes at a time when several high-profile stars are turning back the clock and looking to the runway from the early aughts and ’90s for their red carpet and project promotional tour stints.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
Things opened up in the second half, highlighted by tight end Travis Kelce turning back the clock for a 59-yard gain in the open field.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of turning back

Verb

The market distress peaked in 2024 with State Farm and Farmers announcing plans to drop tens of thousands of customers, and other major insurers turning away all new customers.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
This is not true; no technology or social evolution is inevitable, and even some young people are already turning away from them.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of turning away

Verb

The founders of Plank Hardware create hardware made to offset a kitchen’s harsh fixtures, while still withstanding the wear and tear of daily use.

— Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026
The dismissals varied but building a middle order capable of withstanding a spin barrage in helpful conditions is fundamental to England’s ambitions overseas.

— Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of withstanding

Verb

Perhaps the kid is resisting gendered socialization itself, the whole ascent to physical adulthood and its attendant adolescent affronts.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Prince Kaka of High Point, was arrested him and charged him with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, and resisting arrest, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of resisting

Verb

On Sunday night, this 36-year-old didn’t look a day over 27, made possible by the infusion of the run game and the respect opposing defenses now need to pay to the line of scrimmage.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
In addition to demonstrations and online campaigns, the coalition helped organize an open letter of industry professionals opposing the transaction, including JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher and Denis Villeneuve.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of opposing

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.

Browse Nearby Words

standing in

standing off

standing on

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“Standing off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standing%20off. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of standing off

verb

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