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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoff
Seamus Bozeman
follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Authorities briefly closed a small stretch of Highway 101’s northbound lane in San Jose on Sunday afternoon during a police standoff that led to the arrest of an armed suspect.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Frank Langfitt, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
Maybe we’re supposed to believe that that promise is what compels Lee to stand off against Frank at One Well when a smart man would be running out the door.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
Authorities say Justin Derek Jennings then repeatedly shot at an Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter from a second-story window during a 20-minute standoff on his birthday.
—Seamus Bozeman
follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Authorities briefly closed a small stretch of Highway 101’s northbound lane in San Jose on Sunday afternoon during a police standoff that led to the arrest of an armed suspect.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Verb
Protesting is standing off to the side and not interfering.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026
Maybe we’re supposed to believe that that promise is what compels Lee to stand off against Frank at One Well when a smart man would be running out the door.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
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Bucs need help from Saints Tampa Bay fell a half-game behind Carolina in the NFC South with the loss and now will be hoping the 3-10 New Orleans Saints can upset the Panthers on Sunday to get the division back into a tie.—
Alex Valdes,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
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The vote came after several members of the panel, some of whom have ties to anti-vaccine groups, questioned the vaccine's safety data and the extent to which the birth dose caused a decline in hepatitis B cases.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The end of zero interest rates in 2022 brought IPOs and M & A activity — a key exit strategy for the private equity sector — to an abrupt halt .—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
10 Dec. 2025
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After marrying, the couple began trying for a baby, but their test results brought everything to a halt.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Three children who were playing hide-and-seek spotted a cat floating on the surface of the water in the garden of an unoccupied semi-detached home.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
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Over time, the bond between the sliding frame and the glass can deteriorate, causing the moonroof glass to become detached while the car is operating.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Then attention can turn back to the offence.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
-
All turned back from fear or foul weather.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Japan finds late score for electric draw After multiple looks in the box, Japan ended up closing the match on a fluke corner kick that ricocheted off two Japanese players and into the back of the net in the 89th minute, with the last contact coming from star midfielder Daichi Kamada.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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The beach is usually Martha Vineyard’s biggest draw, but this hilltop estate makes a case for staying on solid ground.—
Kelsey Mulvey,
Vogue,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The Virginia Democrat questioned the White House's seriousness about the impasse, noting that the House has already left Washington and would be unable to approve an extension at this hour.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Its passage breaks a monthslong partisan impasse in Congress over immigration policy.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Each time, brown leaves that had drifted from distant trees quivered and spun on the surface.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The intricate arches perfectly frame patches of sky or distant mountains.—
Alia Beard Rau,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Verb
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If whiteflies invade plants that are in bloom, hold off on using insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays during bloom times.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Dec. 2025
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To ensure colorful hips for the winter garden, be sure to hold off on deadheading.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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