sticking point

noun

: an item (as in negotiations) resulting or likely to result in an impasse

Examples of sticking point in a Sentence

The length of the contract has become a sticking point in the negotiations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ceasefire efforts continue but sticking points remain On Friday, Pakistan said that the interior minister traveled to Tehran twice this week to meet Iranian leaders as part of efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States. —Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026

Experts say current ties between Seoul and Tokyo have no sticking points and that their relationship will subsequently remain on a positive trajectory for now. —ABC News, 19 May 2026

The remaining sticking point remains wages in the fourth year of a contract. —Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 13 May 2026

The one-page US proposal sought to declare an end to the war while triggering a 30-day negotiation period to resolve sticking points, including on nuclear issues, frozen Iranian assets and security in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a regional source familiar with the negotiations. —Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sticking point

• counterpoint
• disappoint
• multipoint
• needlepoint
• reappoint
• adjoint
• anoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint