standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
Because of Tuesday’s rule failure, any bills tucked into that measure sit at a standstill.
—
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Advertisement With negotiations at a standstill, Republicans have intensified their public warnings about the consequences of a shutdown, citing airport delays, cybersecurity risks and disruptions to disaster response.
—Nik Popli, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
The result is a silhouette that suggests motion even at a standstill, the kind of restraint that feels premium in a segment too often defined by safe, anonymous shapes.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Employment indexes in both the services and manufacturing sectors showed hiring at a standstill.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standstill
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Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Advertisement With negotiations at a standstill, Republicans have intensified their public warnings about the consequences of a shutdown, citing airport delays, cybersecurity risks and disruptions to disaster response.
—Nik Popli, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
The result is a silhouette that suggests motion even at a standstill, the kind of restraint that feels premium in a segment too often defined by safe, anonymous shapes.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Employment indexes in both the services and manufacturing sectors showed hiring at a standstill.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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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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