standoff 1 of 3

noun

ˈstand-ˌȯf How to pronounce standoff (audio)
Definition of standoffnext
1
as in tie
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 halt
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

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stand off

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn back

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of standoff
Noun
This standoff highlights growing government scrutiny over messaging app privacy features. — Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Firefighters used two engines to extinguish the fire, FDNY said, adding fires such as this aren’t unexpected and that’s why the agency maintains standoff distance during a fireworks show. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Verb
Seager made it 6-0 in the fourth with his three-run homer, his sixth of the year being a 382-foot drive pulled into the right-field stands off Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler (1-2). — CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 As players sank into their chairs and coaches stood off to the side with their arms across their chests, Butera and president of baseball operations Paul Toboni talked through their priorities and their burgeoning identity. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
  1. tie
  2. halt
  3. detached
  4. turn back
  5. draw
  6. impasse
  7. distant
  8. hold off
Noun
  • Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The former donned a long black coat over a matching shirt and tie, dark wash jeans and dress shoes, while the latter rocked a white tank top with light wash jeans and olive green boots.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The pledge did not immediately satisfy hardline conservatives, who ground operations in the House to a halt last week.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of halt
Adjective
  • Or a pig’s leg lying off to the side, detached and jittering, could resemble Ted’s leg.
    — Will Mackin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026
  • They got approved for a mortgage on a £150,000 (about $198,441) two-bedroom, semi-detached house in Seaham, England.
    — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026
Definition of detached
Verb
  • The conversation turned back to what has changed in how distribution has evolved internationally, due to streaming.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 6 July 2026
  • There was no immediate explanation for the ships that turned back on Friday and Saturday, though Iran has repeatedly said that vessels should only transit the strait through the route designated and authorized by the Islamic Republic.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of turn back
Noun
  • After defeating Panama 1-0 in their first World Cup group-stage game, Ghana played to a scoreless draw with England before losing 2-1 to Croatia.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Cape Verde made history on Friday, June 26, after playing Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw at Houston Stadium.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of draw
Noun
  • Before the impasse could be resolved, the global pandemic shuttered Toho’s cinemas and froze most of its business, and the project went into stasis.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • Status quo continues until a new CBA is reached or the parties reach an impasse after good-faith bargaining.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of impasse
Adjective
  • As the Coast Starlight approaches the Bay Area, the train glides past marshlands, open water, and distant city skylines before continuing toward California’s Central Coast.
    — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • They were received by distant unknown relatives and made their way to Kensington, Illinois, a railroad community on Chicago’s South Side, historically tied to Calumet Junction and the industrial economy that helped shape the region.
    — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of distant
Verb
  • As the second half began, Cape Verde continued to hold off the Argentinians and managed a couple of opportunities on the opposition’s goal, though nothing that overly troubled Emiliano Martínez.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • His play has been more than enough to hold off two accomplished challengers as Spain moves forward to the round of 16.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of hold off

Phrases Containing standoff

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stand-ins
standoff
stand off
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Cite this Entry

“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of standoff for Spanish Speakers

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