Synonyms of impasse

impasse

noun

ˈim-ˌpas 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• deadlock
• stalemate
• gridlock
• standstill
• standoff
• predicament
• jam
• logjam
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• problem
• quandary
• pickle
• plight
• bottleneck
• hole
• bind
• quagmire
• morass
• dead end
• fix
• corner
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• predicament
• dilemma
• pickle
• hole
• bind
• swamp
• corner
• jam
• difficulty
• quagmire
• mire
• fix
• box
• crisis
• rabbit hole
• spot
• kettle of fish
• jackpot
• plight
• rattrap
• sticky wicket
• catch-22
• deadlock
• stalemate
• quandary
• trouble
• hot water
• node
• soup
• standstill
• emergency
• halt
• crossroad
• exigency
• logjam
• pinch
• juncture
• strait
• clutch
• scrape

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impasse

Trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico have reached an impasse after months of talks between officials about a deal to reduce duties on critical imports from beyond the southern border. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Although the program has bipartisan support, Congress is at a major impasse over SNAP — in particular, the hundreds of millions of dollars possibly imposed on states with high payment error rates. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Still, after months of often contentious dialogue with government officials, local producers are grateful that both sides have found a way through the impasse. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

But if a gap remains and an impasse ultimately is declared, the supervisors no longer would dictate the final offer. — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026