status quo

noun

: 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
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.
Southern California’s status quo is extreme swings between dry and wet, the UCLA researchers noted, but the lack of rainfall since May 2024 was exceptional. Angela Fritz, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025 Sadly, this status quo has not improved even with one of the greatest oil booms in history. Paul J. Gessing, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025 But that longstanding status quo has now been shaken — a turnabout for Hezbollah that has opened a new political chapter in Lebanon. Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 However, this very status quo might make taking the risk worthwhile, as a favorable ruling could reintroduce flexibility to presidential authority under the OCSLA. James Broughel, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for status quo 

Word History

Etymology

Latin, state in which

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of status quo was in 1719

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 21 Jan. 2025.

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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on status quo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!