1
as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other
after two hours they had played to a 5-5 standoff
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
the standoff continued for three days before the fugitive gave himself up to the authorities
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in detached
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
the client's standoff attitude suggested that this was going to be a strictly business relationship
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stand off
Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 11 July 2025
As Shallow began dancing on stage, she lip-synced to Jan's vocals, while the drag superstar stood off stage deepening her voice to mimic Mariano's Boston accent.
—EW.com, 10 July 2025
Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
The Western New York Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies helped mediate the standoff, according to WXXI.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Noun
Protesters stand off against federal immigration agents Thursday near Camarillo, Calif.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 11 July 2025
As Shallow began dancing on stage, she lip-synced to Jan's vocals, while the drag superstar stood off stage deepening her voice to mimic Mariano's Boston accent.
—EW.com, 10 July 2025
Adjective
After tense standoffs with Mallory (Crystle Stewart) and Horace's ex-wife, Olivia (Debbi Morgan), Kimmie enters the meeting and promptly takes it over, surprising the family with her mind for numbers.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 11 Sep. 2025
The Western New York Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies helped mediate the standoff, according to WXXI.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stand off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand off
Noun
-
Norman was a patrol officer, Cooper said, and his posts on social media have no ties to the department, although officials were aware of his massive following.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Some analysts have questioned whether the slogans on the casings suggest ties to anti-fascist or left-leaning groups, or whether they were intended as references to internet culture.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But just as the journey was about to begin, COVID-19 forced everything to a halt.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
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At Walt Disney World in Orlando free buses from the airport to its on-site hotels ground to a halt along with contactless room keys which came in the form of collectable wristbands.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Due to his austere and detached manner, he is known to immediately inspire awe in his patients.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The relevance of The Lord is impossible to ignore, especially in the character of a British journalist, who is extremely detached and mercenary.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Later in the season, as more northern waters cool off and the main hurricane development region stays toasty, the instability dial could be turned back up.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Clayton Kershaw has turned back the clock.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Jay Cannon,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Political stability, a favorable family-office regime, independent courts, and Mandarin fluency made Singapore a natural draw for China's super-rich.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have still not broken out of the impasse, spelling financial distress for schools and counties that rely particularly heavily on state funding.—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
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Big names in new places Just last season, the Colorado Avalanche reached an impasse with their leading scorer, star forward Mikko Rantanen, who was in the final year of his contract with the team.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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With her brother and his girlfriend still distant, she is left hoping time will ease the awkwardness created over one special dress.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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His competitors have become distant runners up.—
John Hyatt,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Economists and researchers agreed that a healthy economy encourages families to have more children to reproduce, while a contracting economy can lead some families to hold off on children.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Sep. 2025
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Meanwhile, the latest inflation data, while far from an all-clear on pricing pressures throughout the economy, did not suggest the Fed will hold off on at least a 25 basis point rate cut next week.—
Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stand off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20off. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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