1
as in ties
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 halts
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
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Recent Examples of standoffs
The move came after another night of standoffs between law enforcement and demonstrators at the facility, as protesters could be seen in photographs and videos fighting over barricades as police used riot shields to push them back.
—
Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The recent hunger strike has been met with tense standoffs between demonstrators and federal agents.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The size of the College Football Playoff seems to be the most digestible of the thus-far intractable standoffs, but still, there’s no resolution on the horizon.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
But maritime standoffs and stop-and-go negotiations will likely drag on, Su added.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 May 2026
The company is set to develop a fictional universe inspired by the negotiator’s vast experience in mediating high-pressure situations such as nuclear standoffs, labor disputes and peace talks across four continents.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
But the government, Paul says, will keep facing fiscal standoffs.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
In the lawsuit, DirecTV also warned of what will happen in the event of a blackout of channels, the result of contractural standoffs between major media companies and multichannel distributors.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Similarly, a proposal led by House Transportation Chair Sam Graves, R-Missouri, would allow the FAA to access a wartime emergency fund during budget standoffs to keep critical aviation operations running smoothly.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The recent hunger strike has been met with tense standoffs between demonstrators and federal agents.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 28 May 2026
The size of the College Football Playoff seems to be the most digestible of the thus-far intractable standoffs, but still, there’s no resolution on the horizon.
—ABC News, 18 May 2026
But maritime standoffs and stop-and-go negotiations will likely drag on, Su added.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 May 2026
The company is set to develop a fictional universe inspired by the negotiator’s vast experience in mediating high-pressure situations such as nuclear standoffs, labor disputes and peace talks across four continents.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
But the government, Paul says, will keep facing fiscal standoffs.
—Robert Costa, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
In the lawsuit, DirecTV also warned of what will happen in the event of a blackout of channels, the result of contractural standoffs between major media companies and multichannel distributors.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Similarly, a proposal led by House Transportation Chair Sam Graves, R-Missouri, would allow the FAA to access a wartime emergency fund during budget standoffs to keep critical aviation operations running smoothly.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffs
Noun
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Washington has recently tried to repair ties with Delhi by appointing an ambassador to India and with a visit by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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Working with durable synthetic materials and intricate knotting techniques, the Miami artist explored resilience, preservation and the ties that bind communities together, turning simple text into quiet moments of reflection.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Both of the funding halts were first announced by Russell Vought, the director of the White House's Office of Management and Budget, not by the departments that have oversight of the projects.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
2 Oct. 2025
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Trading in Kohl’s shares was briefly halted by the New York Stock Exchange, evoking memories of pandemic-era meme stock rallies, although trading halts are typical for various kinds of volatile activity.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for reform of the Security Council's permanent members in his annual statement on the anniversary of the United Nations charter, arguing that the current establishment excludes key global voices and suffers from too many deadlocks.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to withhold lawmakers’ pay during government shutdowns, aiming to encourage faster resolution of federal budget impasses after record-breaking closures.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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While controllers may not be caught in the latest political game of chicken, proactively protecting these federal employees from paycheck lapses would prevent additional airport chaos during future funding impasses.—
Jackson Shedelbower,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Another reason is that the federal government is now viewed by many as so routinely dysfunctional that budget stalemates are seen as just one more example of a broader breakdown.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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At bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle’s frustratingly typical bluntness on their travels afflicted them once more in the drabbest of drab stalemates.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Such a taskforce would cut through bureaucratic logjams and hold agencies accountable to schedules that respect the years communities have already waited.—
Hunter Armstrong,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
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The logjams created by shoppers who crowd sample stations four and five people deep is next-level rage bait in online Costco forums.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In settlements, standstills are designed to provide a company with a period of stability and time to implement new strategies.—
Christine O'Brien,
Fortune,
16 Mar. 2026
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Lawmakers on the Hill have blamed each other for funding standstills as Republicans and Democrats debate policy surrounding health care, immigration enforcement and affordability.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Other Uses Yaupon is most commonly enjoyed as a tea, but it's also used in some gins, and foods like ice cream, plus the plant's ripe berries can be turned into jams and jellies.—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
12 June 2026
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The Reds hung on for just their third win in 12 games after their bullpen escaped the last of several late jams.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffs. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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