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
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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
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Recent Examples of standoffs
Meanwhile, China and regional countries, including the Philippines, have overlapping maritime and territorial claims in the South China Sea, which often lead to standoffs and clashes at sea between rival forces, particularly those of China and the Philippines.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 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
But what seems like a windfall quickly spirals into a chain of betrayal, junkyard standoffs and escalating violence.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 5 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
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 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
But what seems like a windfall quickly spirals into a chain of betrayal, junkyard standoffs and escalating violence.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 5 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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Unlike other ultra-luxury brands that were reconstituted in the past few decades under new ownership, Maybach has intimate century-long ties with its mother, Mercedes-Benz.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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But seeing Kirk’s personal items, like his ties and toys left by his children, drove home the loss for Jack Posobiec, a conservative commentator who worked closely with Kirk.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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That could help fix some of the logjams the team has.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As Ever’s first batch of products, which included teas, honey, jams, rosé wine, and even flower sprinkles, meanwhile, sold out in minutes.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Sep. 2025
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That period of time culminated in the group’s debut album, out later this year, that showcases We The Band’s funky R&B stylings alongside its knack for improvisational jams.—
Lyndsey Havens,
Billboard,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoffs. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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