status quo
3 synonyms and 3 antonyms for status quo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The way things are at present, especially when contrasted with a proposed change.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
the present situation
the existing state of affairs
the established order
Antonyms
How to use status quo
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
maintain the status quo
challenge the status quo
status quo bias
return to the status quo
Neutral to formal; very common in politics and business writing.
Etymology
From Latin status quo, 'the state in which'. It comes from the longer diplomatic formula in statu quo res erant ante bellum, 'in the state in which things were before the war', but is not simply an abbreviation of it.
Full origin of status quo →Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to maintain the status quo?
It means keeping things exactly as they are and resisting change, whether by acting to preserve current arrangements or simply by doing nothing. It carries a faint implication that the current arrangement suits whoever is defending it.
What is the difference between status quo and status quo ante?
Status quo is the situation as it stands now. Status quo ante is the situation as it was before some specific event, most often a war or a dispute, and is used when parties agree to restore earlier conditions.
Is 'the status quo' redundant?
No. Although 'status quo' is a Latin phrase, in English it functions as an ordinary noun and takes the definite article. 'The status quo' is entirely standard.
