standoff 1 of 3

noun

ˈstand-ˌȯf How to pronounce standoff (audio)
Definition of standoffnext
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

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

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

stand off

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn back

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of standoff
Noun
The standoff triggered one of the largest oil shocks ever recorded. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 July 2026 Zapata was arrested the next week following a two-hour standoff with police. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
Comparison can be a slippery slope as the moon stands off with Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026 Seager made it 6-0 in the fourth with his three-run homer, his sixth of the year being a 382-foot drive pulled into the right-field stands off Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler (1-2). — CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
  1. tie
  2. halt
  3. detached
  4. turn back
  5. draw
  6. impasse
  7. distant
  8. hold off
Noun
  • The most fascinating quarter-final tie for me, given that Switzerland denied us an ​all-South American affair between Argentina​ and Colombia.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • González has witnessed the ties between Mexico and its emigrants abroad evolve over four decades, starting as a young consular officer in the administration of Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.
    — Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The pledge did not immediately satisfy hardline conservatives, who ground operations in the House to a halt last week.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of halt
Adjective
  • Or a pig’s leg lying off to the side, detached and jittering, could resemble Ted’s leg.
    — Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
  • They got approved for a mortgage on a £150,000 (about $198,441) two-bedroom, semi-detached house in Seaham, England.
    — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026
Definition of detached
Verb
  • The conversation turned back to what has changed in how distribution has evolved internationally, due to streaming.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • There was no immediate explanation for the ships that turned back on Friday and Saturday, though Iran has repeatedly said that vessels should only transit the strait through the route designated and authorized by the Islamic Republic.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of turn back
Noun
  • For those who like to play the draw games with the gargantuan jackpots, Wednesday’s Powerball pull will be worth $434 million.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 8 July 2026
  • Mary and John the Baptist draw viewers’ attention to Christ through their gestures and sometimes their gaze.
    — Denva Gallant, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of draw
Noun
  • Before the impasse could be resolved, the global pandemic shuttered Toho’s cinemas and froze most of its business, and the project went into stasis.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • Status quo continues until a new CBA is reached or the parties reach an impasse after good-faith bargaining.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of impasse
Adjective
  • As the Coast Starlight approaches the Bay Area, the train glides past marshlands, open water, and distant city skylines before continuing toward California’s Central Coast.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • They were received by distant unknown relatives and made their way to Kensington, Illinois, a railroad community on Chicago’s South Side, historically tied to Calumet Junction and the industrial economy that helped shape the region.
    — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of distant
Verb
  • Djokovic will hold off on the career retrospective for the time being.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 7 July 2026
  • His plan, though, is to hold off on signing his contract extension until next summer.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of hold off

Phrases Containing standoff

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stand-ins
standoff
stand off
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Cite this Entry

“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of standoff for Spanish Speakers

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