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
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
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
But Austin also covets Lee’s swaggering freedom, and their standoff echoes the climaxes of the Western films Lee adores.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2024
Hidden desires come into the light when the sun stands off with Uranus.
—USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
The standoff, during which thousands of rounds of ammunition were exchanged between the Bixbys and police, stemmed from an attempt by the South Carolina Department of Transportation to widen a highway by using an easement on Bixby property.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
But Austin also covets Lee’s swaggering freedom, and their standoff echoes the climaxes of the Western films Lee adores.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
As the celebration unfolded in front of him, O’Connell stood off to the side by himself, smiling and shaking his head.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 31 Dec. 2024
Hidden desires come into the light when the sun stands off with Uranus.
—USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
-
Tatis’ home run last night was his 65th at Petco Park, moving him into a tie with Adrián González for second most behind Machado’s 91.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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Arteta understandably is more risk-averse in knockout European ties, but Premier League matches sometimes need to be forcibly opened up — even at the risk of fatigue or becoming defensively compromised.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rather than dwell on this possibility, or call for a halt to further investments until the federal funding picture resolves, supervisors instead took turns bidding Bergmann farewell and welcoming acting director Nadia Privara.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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More than 1,000 clinical trials have come to a halt across the country and world, ranging from cardiovascular disease treatment to HIV prevention, to childhood and adult cancer treatment.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to the main floor porch, the property has a large detached deck close to shore for waterside entertaining. Take a look around...—
Audrey Kennedy,
Axios,
17 Jan. 2025
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The property comes with a detached garage with a stylish glass garage door and a car charger.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Fred Couples turned back the clock Thursday but couldn’t quite recreate that magic Friday (still timeless!).—
Sam Settleman,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
President Trump’s tariff plan appears determined to turn back the clock, and nowhere does his plan defy common sense more than with those same spices that Marco Polo and countless others in the ancient world journeyed for years to bring to the world.—
Hank Tucker,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Shapiro says Colossal’s technique, which uses routine blood draws, yields cells that are easier to reprogram than those that come from skin—and could thus be a better way of diversifying the red wolf gene pool.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
8 Apr. 2025
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Winners in Georgia have 180 days from the draw date to claim prizes and are encouraged to sign the back of their ticket, according to the lottery’s website.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The widow, the lawyer, and the town remain at an impasse.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
13 Mar. 2025
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Now the Comcast impasse threatens to keep the White Sox off the air on the largest pay-TV provider in the Chicago market, a potentially devastating blow to the fans, the team and the new regional sports network.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His ceiling offensively doesn’t suggest work as a No. 1 centre in the NHL; second-line duty over a period of years is something of a distant bell based on current numbers; his floor (No. 3 centre) would represent a reach selection for this player.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Great athletes have been known to remember the minute details of games in the distant past with uncommon clarity.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The next game’s starter usually learns his assignment after the last practice before the game, but the coaches decided to hold off for a discussion on Saturday.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2025
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Greater uncertainty can lead firms to hold off investing and households to refrain from spending.—
London Business School,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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