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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of standoff
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
But the standoff would stretch into Friday as the man, believed armed with a rifle, refused to leave.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 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
The movement's most famous standoff occurred in 1973 at Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge reservation, where AIM activists, including Peltier, clashed with federal authorities for 71 days.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
But the standoff would stretch into Friday as the man, believed armed with a rifle, refused to leave.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 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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The auto industry also retains deep ties to Canada and Mexico, making tariffs a threat to prices for cars and auto parts, experts said.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 Feb. 2025
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At least six had ties to the Skating Club of Boston, located in Norwood, Massachusetts.—
Ryan Gaydos,
Fox News,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Related article As humanitarian officials warn people could die as a result of Trump’s foreign aid halt, Rubio issues new waiver CNN has reached out to USAID and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for comment.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
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The temporary halt in funding shuts down the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the global health program started by George W. Bush, which is credited with saving 25 million lives worldwide.—
Elaine Mallon,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Remove anything flammable from within a 5 feet perimeter of your home and any detached buildings, such as dry leaves and pine needles.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA TODAY,
12 Jan. 2025
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But the detached garage and a guest cottage were destroyed, as were all but three or four of the 20 or so houses on their block near the Altadena Golf Course.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But lawyers behind the initial push for reform said prosecutors and the governor were using fear mongering tactics to scare the public into turning back the clock.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2025
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The first, under the call-sign Reach 538, turned back near the Texas Gulf Coast and landed in Houston.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Nora, the tail-less cat is by far our biggest draw.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA TODAY,
26 Jan. 2025
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But, the morning draw of 13, 23, 29, 32 and 34 was matched by a ticket sold at Key Food, 8890 NW Seventh Ave.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The origin of the trade discussions with Carolina actually goes back to before June’s draft when the Hurricanes were at a contract impasse with Necas and shopping him around the league, according to league sources.—
Chris Johnston,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Mets and Alonso, whose 226 home runs rank third in franchise history, have been at an impasse all offseason, with a reported three-year offer in the $70 million range not believed to be close to what the slugger is seeking.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the not too distant past, soda options were fairly streamlined: cola, orange, or root beer; regular or diet.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2025
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That 12-game goal drought earlier this season seems like a distant memory.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If Colombia, which has now agreed to accept deportees, honors its commitment, the U.S. government may hold off on implementing further sanctions.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
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Still, the play was workmanlike, and after an exciting rally to hold off set point, Sinner eventually forced a tiebreak, winning it 7-4.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
26 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near standoff
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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