standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop

brought traffic to a standstill

Synonyms

• deadlock
• gridlock
• halt
• impasse
• logjam
• Mexican standoff
• stalemate
• standoff

Examples of standstill in a Sentence

The accident brought traffic to a standstill.

battled each other to a standstill

Recent Examples on the Web

The surprise offensive by a rebel coalition has dramatically changed the landscape of the civil war, which Mr. al-Assad had fought to a standstill, and Iran’s control over some of Syria’s territory. —Farnaz Fassihi, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2024

But by that time, a collapse in uranium prices had brought the sector to a standstill, so mining never commenced. —Dylan Baddour, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024

The country’s parliament is currently at a standstill. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2024

The problem is that the governor’s office is at a standstill with the money, and there has been no communication on when funds will be released. —Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing standstill

• crawl to a stop/standstill

Kids Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still -ˌstil 

: a state marked by absence of motion or activity : stop

traffic was at a standstill

Medical Definition

standstill

noun

stand·​still ˈstand-ˌstil 

: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest

cardiac standstill