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• withdrawn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

Days earlier, a local bakery owner was arrested after a standoff at his business as dozens of people watched, protested and recorded deputies and federal agents. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026

That standoff is exactly why the calculus around long-term CDs is worth revisiting now. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 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