status quo

noun

-ˈkwō How to pronounce status quo (audio)
Synonyms of status quonext
: the existing state of affairs
seeks to preserve the status quo
The book became a guide for many restaurateurs fed up with the status quo.—Ali Francis
In much of the world, people are dissatisfied with the status quo and eager to see changes for the better.—The Christian Science Monitor

Synonyms of status quo

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Examples of status quo in a Sentence

He is content with the status quo and does not like change. civic leaders who are afraid to do anything that might change the town's status quo
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
London City Lionesses finished sixth last season but have signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, signalling a shift in the league’s status quo. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 At first, Ascherson was based in Bonn, the capital of the Federal Republic, where postwar Germans had, perhaps understandably, embraced a dull and conservative status quo. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026 More than 100 of the world's largest technology, financial and cybersecurity companies now say the window to prepare is limited and that status quo security will not be enough. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 These characters long for a status quo that’s comforting but not tenable. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for status quo

Word History

Etymology

Latin, state in which

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of status quo was in 1719

Rhymes for status quo

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Browse Nearby Words

status offender
status quo
status quo ante
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Cite this Entry

“Status quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status%20quo. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

status quo

noun
sta·​tus quo
ˌstāt-ə-ˈskwō, 
ˌstat-
: the way things are now
chose to keep the status quo rather than make changes

Legal Definition

status quo

noun
-ˈkwō How to pronounce status quo (audio)
: the existing state of affairs
specifically : the last actual and uncontested state of affairs that preceded a controversy and that is to be preserved by preliminary injunction compare status quo ante
Etymology

Latin, state in which

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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