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
Wrongful dismissal, severance negotiation, harassment claims, and contract disputes become solvable frameworks, not emotional standoffs.
—
Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 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
Gritz attempted to act as a mediator in other standoffs later in the decade but did not find the same success.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
That’s because Putin is focused on Ukraine, and Norway is skilled in de-escalating tense standoffs.
—Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 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
Gritz attempted to act as a mediator in other standoffs later in the decade but did not find the same success.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026
That’s because Putin is focused on Ukraine, and Norway is skilled in de-escalating tense standoffs.
—Tom Yulsman, Time, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoffs
Noun
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Last year, four different men from Chile were accused in a string of burglaries targeting multimillion-dollar homes in Ohio with possible ties to heists in Minnesota.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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But according to federal officials, the Punjabi Devils were an outlaw gang with ties to the Hells Angels, whose members often wore patches with an outline of Punjab, a region that includes northern India and central eastern Pakistan, and a turbaned skull.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
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In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
16 May 2026
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Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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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Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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The pilot program is starting with off-peak trains so Metra can avoid logjams.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There's nothing better than heading home from a trip with goodies, including local jams, veggies, and treats.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
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Their tart stalks are staples in sweet dishes, such as pies, jams, and crumbles, but can also be used in savory dishes and even beverages.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffs. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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