standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
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 most immediate focus is expected to be easing the punishing tariffs that have brought U.S.-China trade in sectors such as consumer electronics, agriculture, and industrial goods to a standstill.
—
Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 9 May 2025
Now, with the 100-day deadline fast approaching, talks with Kyiv and Moscow are at a standstill, and U.S. officials have threatened to walk away from negotiations if no progress is made.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
Much of the federal student loan system remains at a standstill, with more than 40 million Americans still owing payments on their federal student loans.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies threatens to put nearly $600 billion of commerce at a standstill.
—Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standstill
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Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 9 May 2025
Now, with the 100-day deadline fast approaching, talks with Kyiv and Moscow are at a standstill, and U.S. officials have threatened to walk away from negotiations if no progress is made.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
Much of the federal student loan system remains at a standstill, with more than 40 million Americans still owing payments on their federal student loans.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The escalating trade war between the world’s two largest economies threatens to put nearly $600 billion of commerce at a standstill.
—Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
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