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2
: used for holding something at a distance from a surface
a standoff insulator
stood off; standing off; stands off
Examples of standoff in a Sentence
Noun
The two governments are currently in a standoff over who has rights to the land.
after two hours they had played to a 5–5 standoff
Adjective
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
Recent Examples on the Web
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 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
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
26 June 2026
The video then cuts to the produce section of the store, where two officers stand off with the man who authorities say is Tabor, tackling him to the ground and handcuffing him.
—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
The standoff ended when a K9 unit was deployed and McBreairty was taken into custody, Peters said.
—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 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
Reed was standing off to the side as an official visitor, watching as Castle and the 2024 UConn team celebrated back-to-back national championships with a parade in downtown Hartford.
—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
26 June 2026
The video then cuts to the produce section of the store, where two officers stand off with the man who authorities say is Tabor, tackling him to the ground and handcuffing him.
—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoff. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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