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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoffs
The actions have led to tense standoffs between protestors and federal agents.
—
Obed Manuel, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
Controversy over his videos highlights the role of social media and satire in shaping perceptions during high-stakes political standoffs, with both parties accusing each other of bad faith and bigotry amid the disruption of essential public services.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Advertisement While standoffs over spending have become routine in Washington, a shutdown of this scale has not occurred since 2013, when about 850,000 federal workers were furloughed.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Disney made no editorial or content concessions to Sinclair or Nexstar in resolving the standoffs, according to a person familiar with the matter.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
After tense standoffs with Mallory (Crystle Stewart) and Horace's ex-wife, Olivia (Debbi Morgan), Kimmie enters the meeting and promptly takes it over, surprising the family with her mind for numbers.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently reported that their respective standoffs with the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets may stretch into late September.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Obed Manuel, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025
Controversy over his videos highlights the role of social media and satire in shaping perceptions during high-stakes political standoffs, with both parties accusing each other of bad faith and bigotry amid the disruption of essential public services.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Advertisement While standoffs over spending have become routine in Washington, a shutdown of this scale has not occurred since 2013, when about 850,000 federal workers were furloughed.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Disney made no editorial or content concessions to Sinclair or Nexstar in resolving the standoffs, according to a person familiar with the matter.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
After tense standoffs with Mallory (Crystle Stewart) and Horace's ex-wife, Olivia (Debbi Morgan), Kimmie enters the meeting and promptly takes it over, surprising the family with her mind for numbers.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently reported that their respective standoffs with the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets may stretch into late September.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffs
Noun
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Russia also invested significantly, but unsuccessfully, in trying to sway the Moldovan elections last weekend for the party that wanted closer ties with Moscow.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
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The barbecue sauce glaze ties everything together with a sweet-smoky finish.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Netanyahu once shunned long wars and ground operations, aware of the cost and political capital that resulted in indecisive conclusions or stalemates.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The city has also removed 50 logjams from the Rouge River, Hammoud said.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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Divers planned to search Icicle Creek to reach areas where logjams had previously barred dive teams, while other investigators conducted a grid search in a quarter-mile radius around the campground, officials said.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Inside you’ll find fruit jams and pastes from tangy pineapple and strawberry to pumpkin, fig or even custard.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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No hot water baths or pressure canning, the technique uses modern day refrigerators and freezers to store small batches of homemade jams, condiments and spreads, plus chutneys, pickles, relishes and ketchups.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffs. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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