standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Synonyms
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
The deep river gorge is a rumbling mass of natural beauty, with roaming wildlife (bison, elk, and even a grizzly crossing may make traffic come to a standstill), plunging waterfalls, and canyon walls made colorful by iron compounds.
—
Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
For residents of Ukraine’s second-largest city, daily Russian attacks have escalated fears but have not brought life to a standstill.
—Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standstill 
Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
For residents of Ukraine’s second-largest city, daily Russian attacks have escalated fears but have not brought life to a standstill.
—Marc Santora Tyler Hicks, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standstill
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'standstill.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 6 May. 2024.
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Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
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