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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoff
Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
The standoff was emblematic of Ukraine’s stand-and-fight strategy even in the face of Russia’s superior manpower and firepower.
—Ekaterina Bodyagina Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
Slater came out of the facility and stood off to the side of the practice fields.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 27 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
Such programming standoffs have been a feature of the pay-TV biz for years, but YouTube TV has largely managed to steer clear of blackouts.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
The standoff was emblematic of Ukraine’s stand-and-fight strategy even in the face of Russia’s superior manpower and firepower.
—Ekaterina Bodyagina Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
Hidden desires come into the light when the sun stands off with Uranus.
—USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
Slater came out of the facility and stood off to the side of the practice fields.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 27 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
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Sad Fish are a Grapefruit League-worst 3-8 (with three 3 ties) this spring entering Sunday.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2025
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The game was back and forth between the two and three seeds with nine lead changes and seven ties.—
Allison Smith,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Zelenskyy on Friday won the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for Ukraine’s proposals to take some first steps toward stopping the war, including a halt on firing missiles, drones and bombs at energy and other civilian infrastructure.—
ILLIA NOVIKOV,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
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While domestic production of weapons covers nearly 30% of Ukraine's military needs, a prolonged halt in U.S. aid would pose considerable risks for the country in the final phase of the war.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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One adult who lives in the detached garage and six adults and three cats who live in an adjacent home were displaced by the fire, according to the post.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2025
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These parents fulfill their child’s basic needs—food, shelter and clothing—but remain emotionally detached and disengaged.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Police later determined Skelton's phone was in Ohio at 4:30 a.m. before it was turned off and then turned back on at 6 a.m. in Morenci.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2025
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Some of the team broke under the weight of it all and turned back.—
Cassidy Randall,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The annual event, put on by Students for Justice in Palestine, is usually a big draw, but this year, more than a few students were nervous about showing up.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2025
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The Denmark international saw his initial effort saved by Josep Martínez, but fired in the rebound to secure a 1-1 draw.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Talks at an impasse After eight months, contract talks are at an impasse with no end in sight.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2025
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Hollywood is at an interesting impasse right now—and sometimes when our industry changes, that means that Black women, Black men and people of color get ousted.—
Brande Victorian,
Essence,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Shaw’s prophecy was light years distant from Uncle Jerry’s reality.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
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In Oscar-winning writer/director Bong Joon Ho’s new movie, Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) is an Earth man who signs up for a colonizing expedition to a distant icy planet and volunteers for a job that puts him in deadly situations constantly.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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According to the outlet, the uncertainty around future visits to one of America’s most beloved national parks has many travelers holding off booking trips or else making other plans entirely.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Sharks held off the Leafs for the rest of the third period but forward Luke Kunin was assessed a hooking penalty at the end of regulation time.—
Curtis Pashelka,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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