1
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
a new negotiator finally got both sides past the stalemate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other
after playing chess for 16 hours, we ended the game in a stalemate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stalemate
Uruguay tied again, this time a 2-2 stalemate against another adversary that less than two weeks ago, pretty much every soccer pundit would have deemed inferior.
—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
The match remained a tense goalless stalemate for 90 minutes as the Germans desperately pressed to win to secure qualification to the knockout stage.
—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Hope appears to spring eternal that Putin might seek some sort of off-ramp, given his dire stalemate on the battlefield and struggle defending Russian airspace.
—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Prior to Manzambi’s opening goal, the game unfolded like a grinding stalemate.
—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2026
The match remained a tense goalless stalemate for 90 minutes as the Germans desperately pressed to win to secure qualification to the knockout stage.
—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 June 2026
Hope appears to spring eternal that Putin might seek some sort of off-ramp, given his dire stalemate on the battlefield and struggle defending Russian airspace.
—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
Prior to Manzambi’s opening goal, the game unfolded like a grinding stalemate.
—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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South Korea's Kospi closed down almost 6%, a rout that sparked a 20-minute trading halt, after a volatile week for chip giant and market heavyweight SK hynix, whose share price shed more than eight percent Friday.
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The lawsuit also asks for a halt to all new fossil fuel projects.
Noun
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Misiorowski didn’t give up a hit until Seiya Suzuki broke a scoreless tie with a home run to lead off the fifth inning.
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Sean walked the runway in a satin blazer overcoat with jeans, a button-up shirt and a tie.
Noun
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Speaker Mike Johnson is meeting with the president today amid the legislative impasse.
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Simultaneously, contract negotiations with center Walker Kessler are at an impasse over a five-year, $140 million offer, with Kessler reportedly frustrated.
Noun
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Aside from the draw of getting to play beach volleyball, Anderson said there was a comforting family aspect that came along with FSU.
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One passage of play, early in the second half of their 1-1 draw with Sweden, shows what Japan are all about.
Noun
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The second retrial also ended in mistrial this May, due to jury deadlock.
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Two minutes later, Paraguay’s Mauricio forced a Patrick Beach save, then Australia’s counterattack saw an Alexandro Maidana shot attempt to end the scoreless deadlock.
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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