standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstan(d)-ˌstil 
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : stop
brought traffic to a standstill
Examples of standstill in a Sentence
The accident brought traffic to a standstill.
battled each other to a standstill
Recent Examples on the Web
By leaving, work in the chamber came to a standstill because the state Constitution requires at least 100 of the 150 members to be present before any legislation can be considered on the floor.
—
John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 18 July 2025
Multiple regional media outlets have indicated that Vietnamese companies are increasing their market presence in Cambodia as border trade with Thailand came to a standstill.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 July 2025
Twelve hardline House Republicans tanked a procedural vote on Tuesday over concerns with cryptocurrency legislation the chamber is preparing to consider, bringing the floor to a standstill and dealing a blow to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and GOP leadership.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 15 July 2025
In Ukraine, the invading Russian Army has been battled to a standstill by its much smaller enemy, largely through Ukraine’s mass deployment of drones, which, since 2024, have accounted for eighty per cent of Russian losses in men and matériel.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for standstill
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John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 18 July 2025
Multiple regional media outlets have indicated that Vietnamese companies are increasing their market presence in Cambodia as border trade with Thailand came to a standstill.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 16 July 2025
Twelve hardline House Republicans tanked a procedural vote on Tuesday over concerns with cryptocurrency legislation the chamber is preparing to consider, bringing the floor to a standstill and dealing a blow to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and GOP leadership.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 15 July 2025
In Ukraine, the invading Russian Army has been battled to a standstill by its much smaller enemy, largely through Ukraine’s mass deployment of drones, which, since 2024, have accounted for eighty per cent of Russian losses in men and matériel.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for standstill
Cite this Entry
“Standstill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/standstill. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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Medical Definition
standstill
noun
stand·still
ˈstand-ˌstil
: a state characterized by absence of motion or of progress : arrest
cardiac standstill
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