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
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The standoff continues even after hundreds of thousands of federal workers went without a paycheck on Friday.
—NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Michael Massey stood off to the side during batting practice.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for standoff
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Noun
The standoff risks testing regional alliances, drawing the attention of global powers, and increasing the possibility of accidental clashes at sea or in nearby airspace.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The standoff continues even after hundreds of thousands of federal workers went without a paycheck on Friday.
—NPR, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
But as Friday’s scene unfolded after 10 p.m., Perich was standing off to the side with Fleck and his wife Heather.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Michael Massey stood off to the side during batting practice.
—Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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