status quo

noun

: 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
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.
Realistically, the most likely outcome of high-level talks would be a fourth U.S.-China communiqué aimed at stabilizing the cross-strait status quo and fostering economic relations between the two nations. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 The nonprofit status quo has been floundering and must evolve. Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 In 2019, demonstrators from across Algerian society took to the streets to protest a status quo that concentrated political and economic power in the hands of a small number of political and business elites. arkansasonline.com, 13 Feb. 2025 Behind the scenes: So far, the White House appears pleased with Musk's foray into the inner workings of the government, seeing his efforts as aligned with Trump's broader goals of disrupting D.C.'s status quo. Marc Caputo, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for status quo

Word History

Etymology

Latin, state in which

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of status quo was in 1719

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Status quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status%20quo. Accessed 4 Mar. 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

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