: the existing state of affairs
seeks to preserve the status quo
Examples of status quo in a Sentence
He is content with the status quo and does not like change.
civic leaders who are afraid to do anything that might change the town's status quo
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers found that the current status quo on many platforms involves policy language that may confuse its users or technical complications that keep content creators say prevents them from being able to assert ownership of their accounts.
—
Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024
Dissatisfaction with the economic status quo and immigration, along with high disapproval of the incumbent president, were all clear boons for Trump's candidacy.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
The phantom costs of legacy software and the gains to be made from modernization usually more than cover the costs of sticking with an outdated status quo.
—Eric Bernstein, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
This will likely involve direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a settlement based on the territorial status quo and guarantees of Ukrainian neutrality.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for status quo 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lily Hay Newman, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024
Dissatisfaction with the economic status quo and immigration, along with high disapproval of the incumbent president, were all clear boons for Trump's candidacy.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2024
The phantom costs of legacy software and the gains to be made from modernization usually more than cover the costs of sticking with an outdated status quo.
—Eric Bernstein, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
This will likely involve direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a settlement based on the territorial status quo and guarantees of Ukrainian neutrality.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for status quo
Articles Related to status quo
Dictionary Entries Near status quo
Cite this Entry
“Status quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status%20quo. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
status quo
noun
: the existing state of affairs
specifically
: the last actual and uncontested state of affairs that preceded a controversy and that is to be preserved by preliminary injunction compare status quo ante
Etymology
Latin, state in which
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share