1
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
in their bitter custody battle, the divorcing couple are at a total impasse
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2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the impossible impasse faced by those who opposed the war but did not want to seem disloyal to the troops
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
Aviation industry members applauded the Senate's progress toward ending the shutdown late Sunday, though a solution for the longest-ever such impasse hasn't been finalized.
—
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Seven Democrats and one independent senator voted with nearly every Senate Republican to approve the stopgap funding bill after a more than monthlong impasse that resulted in missed paychecks for millions of federal workers, delayed food assistance benefits and air travel disruptions.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
The impasse that has lasted 39 days is taking an increasing toll on the country as federal workers go unpaid, airlines cancel flights and SNAP benefits have been delayed for millions of Americans.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
The ongoing legal battle over the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government shutdown has left families who rely on the food benefits in limbo and regional SNAP directors at an impasse.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Seven Democrats and one independent senator voted with nearly every Senate Republican to approve the stopgap funding bill after a more than monthlong impasse that resulted in missed paychecks for millions of federal workers, delayed food assistance benefits and air travel disruptions.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
The impasse that has lasted 39 days is taking an increasing toll on the country as federal workers go unpaid, airlines cancel flights and SNAP benefits have been delayed for millions of Americans.
—Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
The ongoing legal battle over the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government shutdown has left families who rely on the food benefits in limbo and regional SNAP directors at an impasse.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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In May 2021, one of the largest fuel pipeline systems in the United States was paralyzed when a cyberattack brought operations to an abrupt halt.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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But Friday night, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson temporarily paused that judicial order to allow time for an appeals court to decide whether to issue a more lasting halt.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Dailey also described the incident that prompted his predicament.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
5 Nov. 2025
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Funding predicament The CJA funding shortfall is a result of the continuing resolution that Congress approved in March, just hours before a looming shutdown, to fund the government through the end of September.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Breaking the deadlock There was certainly a time where most Australians thought the quotas would never come in.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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That breakthrough altered the deadlock of WWI and inspired the global development of tanks as a means for breakthrough, not just static defence.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This dilemma was inspired during lockdown, when my flatmate was listening to the audiobook of Bleak House.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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The National Gallery of London is hosting the first major exhibition of 18th-century painter Joseph Wright, whose works captured the moral dilemma of scientific progress at the dawn of the industrial age.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But as the stalemate has dragged on, some Democrats have been looking for a way out.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
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Legislators have been at a stalemate over expiring healthcare funding and tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare, USA TODAY reported.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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As always, Guy has found himself in a pickle entirely of his own making.—
Lily Osler,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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In honor of National Pickle Day, the Oscar winner shared a throwback photo of himself smiling while holding up a jar of pickles — completely nude.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Dodgers could add Tucker to fill the massive hole in their outfield.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The HLSLongsleeve base layer features integrated thumb holes and an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating of at least 40.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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