status quo

noun

-ˈkwō 

: the existing state of affairs

seeks to preserve the status quo

Synonyms

• normalcy
• normality

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

Republican legislators are out bemoaning the dire Indiana revenue forecasts and telling everyone to be prepared for minimal increases, even status quo, in state funding for the next two years (even citing the negative effects of President Donald Trump’s tariff wars). —Dr. Tony Lux, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025

Another challenger to the PBM status quo agrees about the importance. —Seth Joseph, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Even if the explicit intent was to model a case for the older, gentler cultural status quo, this is a distinctly weird time to do it. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025

These right-wing forces, not yet drained of their institutional power, seek to preserve rather than transform America’s political-economic status quo. —Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, state in which

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for status quo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

status quo

noun

sta·​tus quo

ˌstāt-ə-ˈskwō,

ˌstat-

: the way things are now

chose to keep the status quo rather than make changes

Legal Definition

status quo

noun

-ˈkwō 

: 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