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
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
Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
The bathrooms show the scars of where police breached the walls, ending the three-hour standoff with the gunman, Omar Mateen.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Information may come in to challenge your worldview when Mars stands off with Pluto.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
Authorities also acknowledged a fake TikTok video circulating online depicting Sheriff Mike Morrison announcing Decker had been taken into custody following a long standoff.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
The bathrooms show the scars of where police breached the walls, ending the three-hour standoff with the gunman, Omar Mateen.
—Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Verb
Eckard and Anderson were then seen walking away from the podium and standing off to the side.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
Information may come in to challenge your worldview when Mars stands off with Pluto.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
Cite this Entry
“Standoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standoff. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.
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