: the existing state of affairs
seeks to preserve the status quo
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
Taiwan, which has styled itself the Republic of China since the 1949 takeover of the island by Nationalist forces fleeing the victorious Communists, has never formally declared independence from China, and the bulk of its population would prefer to maintain the stable, if uneasy, status quo.
—
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
The increase will not affect city residents, who will continue to pay the $77 status quo.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 26 June 2024
Those working to reform a status quo that has left potentially millions of wells as orphans disagree.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 24 June 2024
Uncertain economic trends and the bleak status quo of the industry pose a new challenge for enterprises and brands focusing on online business.
—Li Jun, WWD, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for status quo 
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
The increase will not affect city residents, who will continue to pay the $77 status quo.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 26 June 2024
Those working to reform a status quo that has left potentially millions of wells as orphans disagree.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 24 June 2024
Uncertain economic trends and the bleak status quo of the industry pose a new challenge for enterprises and brands focusing on online business.
—Li Jun, WWD, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for status quo
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'status quo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Status quo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/status%20quo. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
status quo
noun
: 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
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