Used in a Sentence

standoff

How to use standoff in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for standoff.

Editorial note

Just 40 years ago the US was locked in a standoff with an adversary with enough nuclear weapons to end life on the planet.

Examples5
Definitions2
Parts of speech1

Quick take

the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided; "the game ended in a draw"; "their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie"

Meaning at a glance

The clearest senses and uses of standoff gathered in one view.

noun

the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided; "the game ended in a draw"; "their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie"

noun

the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand

Definitions

Core meanings and parts of speech for standoff.

noun

the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided; "the game ended in a draw"; "their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie"

noun

the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand

Example sentences

1

Just 40 years ago the US was locked in a standoff with an adversary with enough nuclear weapons to end life on the planet.

2

Another one of those things my grandfather would say that this reminds me of is this, "The thing about a Mexican standoff is that sometimes they shoot.

3

It felt like for my whole life the world was trapped in a Mexican standoff, and the inevitable result was the annihilation of all life on the planet.

4

Moving from the idea, through the exhilaration of the almost-playable proof-of-concept, to the inevitable standoff with the devil in the details.

5

The usual script for these kinds of things is a standoff where the host country denies passage out of the embassy, so the person being harbored in the embassy is stuck there until either that person gives up, the embassy gives them up, or some kind of deal for passage or exchange is struck.

Frequently asked questions

Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.

How do you use standoff in a sentence?

Just 40 years ago the US was locked in a standoff with an adversary with enough nuclear weapons to end life on the planet.

What does standoff mean?

the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided; "the game ended in a draw"; "their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie"

What part of speech is standoff?

standoff is commonly used as noun.