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: the existing state of affairs
seeks to preserve the status quo
Examples of status quo in a Sentence
He is content with the status quo and does not like change.
civic leaders who are afraid to do anything that might change the town's status quo
Recent Examples on the Web
But a negative signal against the incumbent party, against a status quo that has left people behind, etc. is not an affirmative signal for everything the opposition is offering.
—ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
Being unimpressed might just be the new status quo for smartphones.
—Callum Booth, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
However, continuity in leadership is not to be confused with an acceptance that status quo is good enough.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
As far back as JFK, U.S. officials have been trapped in this irrational family feud that empowers hardliners in both governments while holding citizens here and there hostage to a bureaucratic status quo.
—Lissa Weinmann, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2025
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Word History
Etymology
Latin, state in which
First Known Use
1719, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to status quo
Dictionary Entries Near status quo
Cite this Entry
“Status quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status%20quo. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
status quo
noun
sta·tus quo
ˌstāt-ə-ˈskwō,
ˌstat-
: the way things are now
chose to keep the status quo rather than make changes
Legal Definition
status quo
noun
: the existing state of affairs
specifically
: the last actual and uncontested state of affairs that preceded a controversy and that is to be preserved by preliminary injunction compare status quo ante
Etymology
Latin, state in which
More from Merriam-Webster on status quo
Nglish: Translation of status quo for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of status quo for Arabic Speakers
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