standoff

1 of 3

noun

stand·​off ˈstand-ˌȯf How to pronounce standoff (audio)
1
a
: tie, deadlock
the two teams played to a standoff
b
: a counterbalancing effect
2
: the act of standing off

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
: used for holding something at a distance from a surface
a standoff insulator

stand off

3 of 3

verb

stood off; standing off; stands off

intransitive verb

1
: to stay at a distance from something
2
: to sail away from the shore

transitive verb

1
: to keep from advancing : repel
2

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The standoff began after police were called to a home in the 1000 block of Stonecrest Drive about 3:43 p.m. Friday, according to an Antioch police press release. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 The standoff has lasted far longer than the last stalemate in January 2019 which lasted 11 days. Brad Adgate, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
In the photo, the patriarch himself actually stands off from the center, next to his son, Barron Trump, 17-year-old Kai and four of his other grandchildren. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 Process your fears as Mercury stands off with Uranus. USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for standoff 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of standoff was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near standoff

Cite this Entry

“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoff. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

standoff

noun
stand·​off
ˈstan-ˌdȯf
: a contest or game in which there is no winner : draw

More from Merriam-Webster on standoff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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