standstill

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
  2. noun an interruption of normal activity

Etymology

From stand + still, a deverbal from stand still. Compare Dutch stilstand (“a standstill”), German Stillstand (“a standstill”), Danish stilstand (“a standstill”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

deadlock, dead end, impasse, stalemate

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