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
An underlying stalemate in Washington isn't budging, leaving TSA and the Department of Homeland Security without funding.
—
Skyler Henry, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
As a weekslong stalemate leaves Transportation Security Administration agents working without pay, Cornyn has introduced a bill to outlaw preferential screening treatment for members of Congress.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Yet Congress remains in a stalemate over funding the Department of Homeland Security.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Now Freeman is hopeful that a change in leadership at DHS will help to break the stalemate over funding for the department.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Skyler Henry, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
As a weekslong stalemate leaves Transportation Security Administration agents working without pay, Cornyn has introduced a bill to outlaw preferential screening treatment for members of Congress.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Yet Congress remains in a stalemate over funding the Department of Homeland Security.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026
Now Freeman is hopeful that a change in leadership at DHS will help to break the stalemate over funding for the department.
—Joel Rose, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
The strait remains virtually closed as violence in the region escalates, bringing shipping traffic to a near-halt.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Taylor Frankie Paul‘s turn as the star of The Bachelorette has come to a screeching halt after ABC opted to shelve the premiere.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Norris had long‑standing ties to North Texas after years of living and filming there.—
Marissa Armas,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
While born and raised in Oklahoma, Norris had several ties to Fort Worth and North Texas.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As leaders in both parties try to work out a deal to fund DHS, which includes 61,000 TSA employees who have been working without paychecks, there are few signs the impasse will break soon on Capitol Hill before a scheduled recess.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
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Let’s start with the DHS funding impasse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The results are in for the Idaho Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 22, 2026.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
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According to Choose Chicago, tourism generates roughly $20 billion for our city — and our architecture is a signature part of that draw.—
Jennifer N. Pritzker,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In an effort to break the deadlock, von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa offered this week to pay for repairs to the pipeline.—
LORNE COOK,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
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In an effort to break the deadlock, von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa offered this week to pay for repairs to the pipeline.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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