standoff

plural standoffs · alternative stand off · alternative stand-off

1. A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.
2. A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists.

   I don't want to get involved in the standoff between those two.

   3 more examples

   A tense standoff between demonstrators and police continued overnight.

   In recent months, both Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice and Captain America: Civil War have offered up big, flashy superhero standoffs as feuds of ideology and stubborn will.

   2016 May 23, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, “Apocalypse pits the strengths of the X-Men series against the weaknesses”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 05 Aug 2016

   The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office detained an adult stepson who broke into his parents’ home and was involved in a standoff with deputies in Orangevale.

   2026 January 1, Emma Kidger, “Orangevale home invasion: Stepson in standoff with sheriff’s office”, in KTXL, archived from the original on 02 Jan 2026

alternative stand off · alternative stand-off

1. not comparablegovernmentFor use at a distance sufficient from the target to allow defensive fire to be evaded.

   a standoff bomb, missile, or weapon

alternative stand off · alternative stand-off

1. nonstandardNonstandard spelling of stand off.