stand·off
ˈstand-ˌȯf 
1
2
: used for holding something at a distance from a surface
a standoff insulator
stood off; standing off; stands off
Synonyms
Examples of standoff in a Sentence
Noun
The two governments are currently in a standoff over who has rights to the land.
after two hours they had played to a 5–5 standoff
Adjective
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 22 Nov. 2024
After a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on the border in 2017, New Delhi moved to revive the Quad despite not showing much enthusiasm when the partnership was founded in 2007.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
Slater came out of the facility and stood off to the side of the practice fields.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for standoff 
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Noun
Loading your audio article A 15-hour standoff between law enforcement and a knife-wielding suspect in Passaic county prompted the response of a SWAT team and the use of a chemical agent to force his surrender, officials said.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 22 Nov. 2024
After a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops on the border in 2017, New Delhi moved to revive the Quad despite not showing much enthusiasm when the partnership was founded in 2007.
—Harsh V. Pant, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Hidden desires come into the light when the sun stands off with Uranus.
—USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2024
Slater came out of the facility and stood off to the side of the practice fields.
—Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 27 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for standoff
Dictionary Entries Near standoff
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoff. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.
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