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
Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Throughout most of the 2023-24 school year, pro-Palestinian encampments and tense standoffs played out on many campuses across the country.
—John Branch, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Everything felt familiar about the first as Victor Kristiansen stood off Ethan Nwaneri, allowing a dangerous cross to be clipped in.
—Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
Trading for Hendrickson, who's in a contract standoff with the Bengals, could provide a similar effect for the defense.
—Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Throughout most of the 2023-24 school year, pro-Palestinian encampments and tense standoffs played out on many campuses across the country.
—John Branch, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Verb
Information may come in to challenge your worldview when Mars stands off with Pluto.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Everything felt familiar about the first as Victor Kristiansen stood off Ethan Nwaneri, allowing a dangerous cross to be clipped in.
—Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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