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 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was created to protect Americans from financial fraud, abuse and deceptive practices, has been brought to a standstill. —Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

Alyssa Vasey of Kemmerer, Wyo., was traveling west on Interstate 80 late Friday morning when traffic came to a standstill. —Tim Balk, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

At that time, the cruise business came to a standstill. —David Moin, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025

The protest intensified as demonstrators took to the 101 Freeway, bringing traffic to a standstill for hours and causing significant congestion throughout downtown. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing standstill

• crawl to a stop/standstill

Rhymes for standstill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

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