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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoff
Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
The standoff was emblematic of Ukraine’s stand-and-fight strategy even in the face of Russia’s superior manpower and firepower.
—Ekaterina Bodyagina Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 27 July 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
Such programming standoffs have been a feature of the pay-TV biz for years, but YouTube TV has largely managed to steer clear of blackouts.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
The standoff was emblematic of Ukraine’s stand-and-fight strategy even in the face of Russia’s superior manpower and firepower.
—Ekaterina Bodyagina Nanna Heitmann, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
Slater came out of the facility and stood off to the side of the practice fields.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 27 July 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
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Canada froze its ties with the bank in June 2023, pending a review of allegations by a Canadian staff member, who dramatically quit after accusing the bank of being dominated by members of China’s Communist Party.—
Tamar Gutner,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 2025
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However, a 10-2 burst to start the third quarter turned a 67-59 game into a 69-69 tie.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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For example, drugs can activate apoptosis or halt cell division in ways that mimic p53’s normal function.—
Prosper Obed Chukwuemeka,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2025
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About 30 cars derailed, forcing the train to a halt, officials said.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The film seems to comment on the evolution of communication—from a love of language to a more detached, modern form of communication.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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The wood fence enclosing the yard is new, and a detached garage has a workshop and holds one car.—
Angela Serratore,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the world wars, transoceanic coalitions turned back Eurasian aggressors, forging patterns of cooperation that brought the United States into the Old World’s strategic affairs.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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So management may turn back to the trade market to address remaining areas of weakness — including down the middle of the second line.—
Shayna Goldman,
The Athletic,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The annual event, put on by Students for Justice in Palestine, is usually a big draw, but this year, more than a few students were nervous about showing up.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2025
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The Denmark international saw his initial effort saved by Josep Martínez, but fired in the rebound to secure a 1-1 draw.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Hamas on Friday published the names of three more hostages to be released, signaling that an impasse over the immediate future of the cease-fire with Israel had been overcome after days of recriminations between the two sides.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
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As some states have refused to comply with President Donald Trump's recent executive order that bans trans athletes in girls' and women's sports, New York is at an impasse over the issue.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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No problem Remember when adventure seemed like a distant memory?—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
25 Feb. 2025
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Resembling a distant cousin to the truffula tree in Seussical botany, this shaft of sturdy stem with intermittent globes of golden treats is a pollinator’s dream.—
New York Times Games,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Judge holds off:No decision on whether to drop NYC Mayor Eric Adams case What charges does Adams face?—
John Bacon,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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Just consider holding off on sending those trail selfies to your friends on the East Coast until the snow and ice melt.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
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