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 stand off
Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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
Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
That standoff stretched for 35 days, leading to the furlough of more than 350,000 federal workers and forcing 400,000 others to work without pay.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Noun
Hudson also spoke with veteran backup quarterback Jameis Winston and spent much of the Giants’ ensuing defensive drive standing off to the side and away from his offensive teammates.
—Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 14 Sep. 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
Adjective
But no one has been able to end the standoff.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
That standoff stretched for 35 days, leading to the furlough of more than 350,000 federal workers and forcing 400,000 others to work without pay.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand off
Noun
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Improving ties with Japan could give Trump more leverage.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Maintaining positive ties with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung would continue the lattice-like foreign policy encouraged by Washington, one that favors multilateral cooperation among like-minded nations over bilateral dependence.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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One loose bolt or misplaced screw is enough to grind the entire contraption to a halt.—
Robert Mays,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Brit was looking to cement his status after a blistering 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, but his night came to a sudden halt before the opening round could conclude.—
Antonio Losada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But in listening to separate end-of-season reflections from Tucker and Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, both sides sound detached.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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In the detached home market, there are 9,001 active listings year-to-date, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors’ monthly report.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In November, millions of Americans will turn back their clocks, marking the end of daylight saving time in 2025.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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Most of the group turned back, but the teen decided to try it out, reportedly relying on her experience, according to On The Verge.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Last season, injuries and suspensions contributed to Arsenal going four league games without a win (two losses and two draws), with another end-of-season slump coinciding with a greater push in the Champions League — winning only one of six games between matchday 31 and 36, racking up four draws.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These subsidies, which are critical to people with chronic illnesses such as cancer, are one of the main sticking points in the current budget impasse in Congress.—
Noam Levey,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
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Oklahoma's governor wants to settle the federal lawsuit over pollution of the Illinois River, saying his state's attorney general and the defendant Northwest Arkansas poultry companies are at an impasse, according to a court motion filed Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Burns decided to take on the Revolution as his next project in the waning months of the Obama administration, a moment that may feel as distant from today as the war itself.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Our dream of going back to the moon and onto Mars and more distant worlds—not least to ensure our species’ survival before the sun flames out and engulfs most of the solar system—can be seen as just one more step in evolution’s long march.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cagliari kept 20 clean sheets and this, combined with Gigi Riva scoring half of their goals (21 of 42) was enough to hold off second-place Inter and become the first — and so far only — team from outside the mainland to win the Italian top flight.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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The Cardinals simply weren't able to hold off the Packers' late rally.—
Anne Erickson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stand off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20off. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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