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
Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Police said Talley left Swedish Hospital in a gown, and was later taken into custody at a nearby home following a SWAT standoff.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
The National Guard, police and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Noun
Meanwhile, the two countries’ standoff in the Strait of Hormuz escalated last week when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized commercial vessels for the first time—a sign that its forces remain potent and that the war could again defy the upbeat assessments from the Pentagon’s leaders.
—Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Police said Talley left Swedish Hospital in a gown, and was later taken into custody at a nearby home following a SWAT standoff.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Maybe we’re supposed to believe that that promise is what compels Lee to stand off against Frank at One Well when a smart man would be running out the door.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025
The National Guard, police and protesters stand off outside of a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for standoff
Noun
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly ordered the Israeli military to send an Iron Dome interceptor battery - and soldiers to operate it - to the UAE after a call with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a move that demonstrates just how far ties have come.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
That tie didn’t last long as the Phillies responded with two more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 4-2 lead.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Detroit turned up the heat on defense while Orlando’s offense came to a complete halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
-
Today, roughly half of the global ethylene and polyethylene supply is stranded, constrained, or directly affected by the halt to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial transit point for 20% of the world’s crude.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The property also features a detached, two-story guest house with two independent living spaces.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Despite your desire to remain detached, relationships become impossible to ignore today, Aquarius.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He was advised to turn back along the same route and keep moving to avoid falling asleep through hypothermia.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Among the vessels attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz during the ceasefire, several were fired upon and others turned back.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Real Madrid’s draw with Real Betis on Friday night and Barca’s win against Getafe widened the gap between the two to 11 points.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The club has not scored more than two in MLS play since a 3-3 draw against Dallas on March 14.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That report goes to the school board, which then holds its own impasse hearing and makes a decision.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Oil was again trading at over $100 a barrel Thursday as the impasse continued to disrupt shipping through the strait, a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of the world's crude oil and natural gas.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What appears as a deep view of distant galaxies is a little richer upon close inspection.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Malloy’s philosophy challenges norms that position clinicians as distant figures.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wearing a surgical mask to hold off the dank air, Reyes chose a bike and, before going to work on its components, performed the last rite for its former life.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Is Potente good enough to make the first move, take the lead and then hold off the talented closers?—
Steve Kornacki,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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