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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Late in the first half, the senior midfielder ripped in a free kick from 35 yards to help visiting Providence earn a 1-1 tie against crosstown rival Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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Also in the Trinity League on Friday, JSerra moved into a second-place tie with Santa Margarita with a 2-0 win against Mater Dei.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Which is why Michael’s final cut screeches to a halt in 1988, just as the star has broken out from his family and reached a new zenith as a solo performer.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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The Covid pandemic brought production to a halt, and then the writers and actors guild strikes shut down production again for months in 2023.—
Julia Boorstin,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The property also features a detached, two-story guest house with two independent living spaces.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Malloy’s philosophy challenges norms that position clinicians as distant figures.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Winters played well enough to hold off Martin, who was a third-round pick who was supposed to push for a starting spot.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Beijing has long struggled to drive domestic consumption, while brutal competition in many industries has pushed producers to cut prices, triggering a vicious cycle in which people hold off on purchases in anticipation of coming discounts.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/standoff. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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