Pronunciation: /ˈstændˌɔf/
noun a situation in which neither side in a conflict or dispute is able to gain an advantage or win
A1 The two cats were in a standoff, staring at each other without moving.
A2 The standoff between the two countries lasted for weeks before a resolution was reached.
B1 The standoff between the police and the suspect ended peacefully after negotiations.
B2 The standoff at the negotiating table was tense, with neither side willing to compromise.
C1 The political standoff between the two leaders escalated into a full-blown crisis.
C2 The standoff between the rival gangs threatened to erupt into violence at any moment.
adjective relating to or characteristic of a standoff
A1 The two cats had a standoff over a toy mouse.
A2 The standoff between the two countries escalated into a full-blown conflict.
B1 The standoff between the police and the protesters lasted for hours.
B2 The standoff between the rival gangs resulted in a tense situation in the neighborhood.
C1 The standoff between the government and the rebel forces showed no signs of resolution.
C2 The standoff between the world powers threatened to plunge the region into chaos.
formal The two countries are currently in a standoff over the disputed territory.
informal There's a bit of a standoff between the neighbors about the property line.
slang Things got pretty tense and there was a standoff between the rival gangs.
figurative The negotiations reached a standoff as neither party was willing to compromise.
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