standoff

1 of 3

noun

stand·​off ˈstand-ˌȯf 

1

a

: tie, deadlock

the two teams played to a standoff

b

: a counterbalancing effect

2

: the act of standing off

standoff

2 of 3

adjective

1

: standoffish

2

: used for holding something at a distance from a surface

a standoff insulator

stand off

3 of 3

verb

stood off; standing off; stands off

intransitive verb

1

: to stay at a distance from something

2

: to sail away from the shore

transitive verb

1

: to keep from advancing : repel

2

: put off, stall

Synonyms

Noun

• dead heat
• draw
• stalemate
• tie

Adjective

• aloof
• antisocial
• asocial
• buttoned-up
• cold
• cold-eyed
• cool
• detached
• distant
• dry
• frosty
• offish
• remote
• standoffish
• unbending
• unclubbable
• unsociable

Examples of standoff in a Sentence

Noun

The two governments are currently in a standoff over who has rights to the land.

after two hours they had played to a 5–5 standoff

Adjective

the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Both Harris and Trump camps are both preparing for a dramatic legal standoff after the election. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

After a standoff and shoot-out in which Horace kills the crew, Kimmie admits to going along with Angel’s plan to rob him. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Process your fears as Mercury stands off with Uranus. —USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

Tidy up loose finances while Mercury stands off with Neptune. —USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Phrases Containing standoff

• Mexican standoff

Kids Definition

standoff

noun

stand·​off

ˈstan-ˌdȯf

: a contest or game in which there is no winner : draw