Synonyms of standoff

standoff 1 of 3

noun

ˈstand-ˌȯf 

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

• tie
• draw
• stalemate
• deadlock
• dead heat
• impasse
• seesaw
• horse race
• toss-up
• photo finish

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

• halt
• impasse
• deadlock
• stalemate
• standstill
• gridlock
• predicament
• jam
• logjam
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• problem
• pickle
• quandary
• hole
• plight
• bottleneck
• dead end
• bind
• quagmire
• corner
• morass
• fix
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

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

• detached
• distant
• cold
• remote
• cool
• dry
• withdrawn
• clinical
• silent
• reserved
• standoffish
• unbending
• frosty
• antisocial
• professional
• aloof
• timid
• cold-eyed
• unsociable
• asocial
• shy
• offish
• hard
• unclubbable
• buttoned-up
• reclusive
• dispassionate
• introverted
• unsocial
• misanthropic
• unconcerned
• indifferent
• indrawn
• apathetic
• taciturn
• impersonal
• disinterested
• recessive
• uninterested
• uncommunicative
• reticent
• incurious
• diffident
• clubbish
• nongregarious
• cliquish
• cliquey

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• social
• friendly
• warm
• cordial
• convivial
• sociable
• expansive
• communicative
• companionable
• outgoing
• boon
• talkative
• extroverted
• gregarious
• garrulous
• clubby
• hospitable
• congenial
• affable
• amiable
• neighborly
• genial
• gracious
• folksy
• agreeable
• clubbable
• kindly

stand off

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn back

Related Words

• turn back
• hold off
• resist
• withstand
• oppose
• turn away
• fend (off)
• stave off
• beat off
• fight
• defy
• ward (off)
• rebut
• repel
• deflect
• repulse
• spurn
• rebuff
• snub

Dissimilar Words

• welcome
• embrace
• hail

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of standoff

Noun

In the ensuing months, the White House, federal courts, and Washington preservationists have been locked in a legal standoff over where the authority to rename the center lies. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Colorado health officials formally ordered an Aurora detention center to turn over records to state inspectors Thursday, escalating a weeks-long standoff that may now end in a courtroom. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

As players sank into their chairs and coaches stood off to the side with their arms across their chests, Butera and president of baseball operations Paul Toboni talked through their priorities and their burgeoning identity. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Comparison can be a slippery slope as the moon stands off with Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing standoff

• Mexican standoff