stands off

verb

present tense third-person singular of stand off
as in holds off

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stands off
  1. turns back
  2. turns away
  3. resists
  4. opposes
  5. withstands
Verb
  • Activists say their new constitutional amendment will help ensure that Virginia stays a safe haven for access, even if the state turns back to Republican control in future years.
    — Rachel Cohen Booth, Vox, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Those talks have since stalled as Tehran focuses on negotiating the future of the Strait of Hormuz and Washington turns back to diplomacy.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of turns back
Verb
  • The insect naturally turns away when an antenna touches an obstacle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
  • The bear, seemingly frightened, quickly turns away from the boy and continues running, sliding under a boat parked in the driveway.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026
Definition of turns away
Verb
  • The latest example of congressional scrutiny comes as Commerce reportedly resists other agencies’ overtures to add Megaspeed to its trade blacklist.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Here, the screen is also supported by a new hinge that effectively resists wobble while remaining easy to open with one hand.
    — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of resists
Verb
  • Pappas opposes raising the retirement age, cutting benefits, and privatization.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The Moon in your sign opposes Saturn, bringing your needs into contact with another person’s conditions.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of opposes
Verb
  • This pair is a smart choice for walk-to-run beginners who are looking for a budget-friendly shoe that withstands serious mileage.
    — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
  • If the map withstands a court challenge, Cleaver will have to win over voters in both Democratic Kansas City and the solidly Trump parts of Missouri.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of withstands
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

stands in
stands off
stands on
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Cite this Entry

“Stands off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stands%20off. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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