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
Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Chad Oster, 36, of the 18200 block of Glen Swilly Circle, was taken into custody in 2023 after police and SWAT forces worked to serve a search warrant at his home, leading to a multiple hour standoff.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Frank Langfitt, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
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
But without insurance, ships will be even more hesitant to transit, creating a standoff.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Chad Oster, 36, of the 18200 block of Glen Swilly Circle, was taken into custody in 2023 after police and SWAT forces worked to serve a search warrant at his home, leading to a multiple hour standoff.
—Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
Verb
Protesting is standing off to the side and not interfering.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
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
-
Minnesota's ties to slavery, the Civil War and the Juneteenth holiday sent many to Fort Snelling for a tour on Friday.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
-
There is no distinction for a behest given to a charity with direct ties to the politician, but maybe there should be.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Noun
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Road blockades have caused shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies in parts of the country and ground the economy to a halt over the past 50 days.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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The ceasefire in the MOU extends to a halt in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, requiring Israel to withdraw from Lebanon under a final deal that Trump hopes to reach within 60 days.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Olise has purposefully cultivated a kind of detached non-persona.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Three children who were playing hide-and-seek spotted a cat floating on the surface of the water in the garden of an unoccupied semi-detached home.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
Verb
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With the team missing significant pieces, Goldschmidt has managed to turn back the clock for a lineup that has otherwise gotten greener with each new injury.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
Middle Eastern oil wells were largely shut off during the war and could take weeks to ramp up production when turned back on.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes a little luck can go a long way, and Japan found that out firsthand in its 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in group stage action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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Friday, there were three Florida Lottery big money draw games — Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play, Fantasy 5 — and three top prize winners.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The Virginia Democrat questioned the White House's seriousness about the impasse, noting that the House has already left Washington and would be unable to approve an extension at this hour.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Its passage breaks a monthslong partisan impasse in Congress over immigration policy.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
There was another cigar somewhere in his not-too-distant future.—
Barry Svrluga,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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With the intention of permanently moving the orbiter Discovery to California, the Air Force designed SLC-6 differently from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, most notably by stacking the vehicle directly on the pad rather than in a more distant assembly building.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday, showers and storms should hold off until after sunset.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Conservative radio host Mark Levin suggested a strategic rethinking to hold off on an agreement with Iran until after the midterms.—
Thomas Beaumont,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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