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

Begin With Yourself While upending your industry’s status quo can have far-reaching influences, Sonin advises that would-be innovators start by focusing on themselves. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 17 Aug. 2024

Current retirement rollover advice rules stay in effect In the meantime, the current status quo remains in effect, attorneys said. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024

In Attia’s view, Medicine 3.0 is a paradigm shift from the pills-and-procedures protocol (Medicine 2.0) that is the current health care status quo. —Nick Heil, Outside Online, 8 Aug. 2024

How does a status quo power handle a rising power, and do moments of transition inexorably lead to war? —Manjari Chatterjee Miller, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, state in which

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

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