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
Relevance
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
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 stand off
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Information may come in to challenge your worldview when Mars stands off with Pluto.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
As soon as the Bucks did that with Lillard, attention quickly turned to the Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns, who've been mired in their own standoff for the past six months.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Noun
Eckard and Anderson were then seen walking away from the podium and standing off to the side.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Information may come in to challenge your worldview when Mars stands off with Pluto.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
My other wildlife standoff involved a much cuter animal, but potentially far more unpleasant.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
As soon as the Bucks did that with Lillard, attention quickly turned to the Bradley Beal and the Phoenix Suns, who've been mired in their own standoff for the past six months.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand off
Noun
-
But Iran's broader drift from West to East dates much further, beginning with the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled a monarchy with close ties to the U.S. and Europe.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
Marten, 38, grew up in a wealthy, aristocratic family with ties to the royal family.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
Combine that with a high-interest-rate environment and uncertainty over peace in the Middle East, spending came to a halt.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
-
Over the years, the lighthouse was used as a museum and a coffee shop, but erosion from the sea forced that to come to a halt.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
White Lake Township Chief of Police Daniel Keller said in a news release the homeowner was alerted through his video surveillance system that seven individuals had broken into his detached garage.—
Mike Stunson
July 10,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
-
The house features five bedrooms and one bathrooms. 5. $2.1 million, single-family residence in the 6100 block of Contra Costa Road The sale of the detached house in the 6100 block of Contra Costa Road in Oakland has been finalized.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Magny turned back Rodriguez, submitting him in the third round.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
In tech, people are turning back to flip phones, Tamagotchi's and disposable film cameras.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
In his most recent outing, which came in November, Barrios fought Abel Ramos to a split draw to retain the belt.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
The impasse between the two economic superpowers — whose trade relationship totaled nearly $600 billion in 2024 — is weighing on Trump’s broader tariff regime, which is already having a real-world impact.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
-
Turner spent a decade in Indiana, but the NBA's two-time blocks leader seemed to be at an impasse with his state of affairs in Indianapolis.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisement Still, his father remained remote and distant.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
18 July 2025
-
Lyricism as the default measure of talent feels like a distant memory.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
The Chapel Hill, N.C. native and Duke grad held off Green and Boyd, both Epson Tour rookies, to take the title in Milford on Sunday.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
-
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that the EU would hold off on implementing retaliatory tariffs for now.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stand off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20off. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share