Synonyms of stalemate

stalemate

noun

ˈstāl-ˌmāt 

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

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

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

• tie
• draw
• standoff
• deadlock
• impasse
• dead heat
• seesaw
• horse race
• toss-up
• photo finish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stalemate

That stalemate would eventually move from Los Angeles City Hall to the state Capitol, where the legislative process proved more conducive to negotiation. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

The apparent stalemate comes as Israel still controls roughly 70% of Gaza, according to Palestinian officials and aid agencies. — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026

Lala Kent is an excellent addition to the cast and was the only one trying to break the Janet-versus-Bookos stalemate. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

Fournier-Facio argues that the two preceding papers show humans had not hit a stalemate with the soficity problem. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 6 Aug. 2026