Synonyms of standoff

standoff 1 of 3

noun

ˈstand-ˌȯf 

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

• tie
• draw
• stalemate
• deadlock
• dead heat
• impasse
• seesaw
• horse race
• toss-up
• photo finish

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

• halt
• impasse
• deadlock
• stalemate
• standstill
• gridlock
• predicament
• jam
• logjam
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• problem
• pickle
• quandary
• hole
• plight
• bottleneck
• dead end
• bind
• quagmire
• corner
• morass
• fix
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

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

• detached
• distant
• cold
• remote
• cool
• dry
• withdrawn
• clinical
• silent
• reserved
• standoffish
• unbending
• frosty
• antisocial
• professional
• aloof
• timid
• cold-eyed
• unsociable
• asocial
• shy
• offish
• hard
• unclubbable
• buttoned-up
• reclusive
• dispassionate
• introverted
• unsocial
• misanthropic
• unconcerned
• indifferent
• indrawn
• apathetic
• taciturn
• impersonal
• disinterested
• recessive
• uninterested
• uncommunicative
• reticent
• incurious
• diffident
• clubbish
• nongregarious
• cliquish
• cliquey

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• social
• friendly
• warm
• cordial
• convivial
• sociable
• expansive
• communicative
• companionable
• boon
• outgoing
• talkative
• extroverted
• gregarious
• garrulous
• clubby
• clubable
• hospitable
• congenial
• affable
• amiable
• neighborly
• extraverted
• genial
• gracious
• folksy
• clubbable
• agreeable
• kindly

stand off

3 of 3

verb

as in to turn back

Synonyms & Similar Words

• turn back
• hold off
• resist
• withstand
• oppose
• turn away
• fend (off)
• stave off
• beat off
• fight
• defy
• ward (off)
• rebut
• repel
• deflect
• repulse
• spurn
• rebuff
• snub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• welcome
• embrace
• hail

Examples of standoff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Efforts to fund further expansion of the border wall or restrict legal immigration pathways would face fierce opposition, resulting in standoffs over budget allocations and funding priorities. —Axios, 16 Oct. 2024

Martin, after being shot, retreated into a home and an hours-long standoff ensued. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2024

The standoff paralyzed most of the operations of the House for days. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024

Experts say Kim probably aims to diminish South Korea’s voice in the regional nuclear standoff and seek direct dealings with the United States. —Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Phrases Containing standoff

• Mexican standoff