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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
In other words, a woman taking her own picture on her own terms is not enough to disrupt the patriarchal status quo.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024
The elections highlighted a critical transformation: support for sovereignty and independence is at an all-time high, signaling a challenge to the colonial status quo.
—Javier A Hernandez, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Sitcoms depend on setting and resetting their status quo, sending their characters out on new adventures in each episode while always returning to the same familiar premise.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
This generation isn’t afraid to challenge status quos or ask hard questions about a company’s ethical practices.
—Elizabeth Pearson, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
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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 17 Dec. 2024.
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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