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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoff
Robert Daniels, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Such standoffs have brought the U.S. within days of defaulting and damaged the country’s credit rating, but have not made a major impact on the size or trajectory of the federal debt.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Being vulnerable with others may feel difficult as Venus stands off with Chiron.
—USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standoff 
Noun
The writer-director Zulkarnain Azhar’s film was inspired by the real-life Lahad Datu standoff in 2013, when a Filipino group tried to claim the contested area.
—Robert Daniels, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Such standoffs have brought the U.S. within days of defaulting and damaged the country’s credit rating, but have not made a major impact on the size or trajectory of the federal debt.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
Tidy up loose finances while Mercury stands off with Neptune.
—USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024
Being vulnerable with others may feel difficult as Venus stands off with Chiron.
—USA TODAY, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
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The ancient Roman Saturnalia festival celebrated the end of the planting season and has close ties with modern-day Christmas.Amanda Cappelli, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024
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Assad's military backers, Tehran and Moscow, are also leaving the door open for potential ties with Syria's new leadership despite palpable concern over how the upheaval could affect their regional influence.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Business as usual ground to a halt when the WHO declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020, about four months after the virus was first detected in Wuhan, China.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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The previous year Atlanta’s troubled son Young Thug was shut behind bars on RICO charges, bringing his output to a halt.Maurice Garland, SPIN, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Stanley received more than 90 reports worldwide over problems relating to the detached lids — 38 of those complaints were tied to burn injuries, with 11 of those requiring medical attention.Alexandra Banner, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
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The special drew sharp criticism; many felt LeBron came across as detached and unapproachable.Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
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It's been exciting to watch IU's Cinderella season, but even Cinderella's coach turned back into a pumpkin.Justin L. Mack, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
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On Wednesday, as police announced that the school had been turned back over to Abundant Life, the victims in the shooting were identified by authorities as well.John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 27 Dec. 2024
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The Texas Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.Robbie Farias, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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There is an impasse over a new contract with the 18-year-old, who is managing an ankle issue that has taken longer than expected to recover from.Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
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The Wildcats have not reached a Final Four since 2015 or an Elite Eight since 2019. Kentucky and Calipari, 64, are at an impasse.Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The new theory posits that the monument’s stones, sourced from distant regions, served as symbols of political alliances, possibly after unrest.Jamie Carter, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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Doka is part of a young generation of Fort McDowell Yavapai whose lives feel distant from when Orme Dam threatened their reservation.Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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It might be distilled into the league’s best attack attempting to hold off the league’s best defence.James McNicholas, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
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Foreign investors held off on buyouts and investments.Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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