Meaning & use

status quo

noun·Academic

The existing state of affairs, especially regarding social, political, or organizational arrangements.

See it in a sentence

Reformers argued that the status quo no longer served most citizens.

The new manager was reluctant to challenge the status quo during her first month.

A note on using this word

Status quo is a Latin phrase used as a noun in English and is always written in two words without italics in most modern style guides.

Words with a similar meaning

current stateexisting order

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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