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: 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
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
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Word History
Etymology
Latin, state in which
First Known Use
1719, in the meaning defined above
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 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
Nglish: Translation of status quo for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of status quo for Arabic Speakers
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