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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
What happens next in the ongoing impasse is not clear.
—
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
But Thune has kept the door open to keeping the chamber in town if the impasse persists.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
The White House and Democrats have exchanged counterproposals for weeks but remain at an impasse over a final deal.
—The Hill, 27 Mar. 2026
The ongoing Capitol Hill impasse means the partial shutdown is expected to drag on as lawmakers fight over a path forward.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
But Thune has kept the door open to keeping the chamber in town if the impasse persists.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
The White House and Democrats have exchanged counterproposals for weeks but remain at an impasse over a final deal.
—The Hill, 27 Mar. 2026
The ongoing Capitol Hill impasse means the partial shutdown is expected to drag on as lawmakers fight over a path forward.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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It has not been publicly released, and DHS did not respond to requests to explain if the halt was permanent.—
Molly A. Wallace,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
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The idea to launch a podcast began during the pandemic, when touring — and the world — came to a screeching halt.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lee said financial pressure on cities has contributed to DART’s predicament this year, and simply moving money around won’t help.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Councilmember Kent Lee said this winter that the dire predicament facing the city’s Transportation Department should have been the centerpiece of the campaign for a 2024 ballot measure to raise the city’s sales tax.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Senate Republicans say Democrats must compromise on immigration policy, while some conservatives suggest eliminating the filibuster to break the funding deadlock.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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The partial government shutdown begins due to a deadlock between Senate Democrats and Republicans over funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an agency that is part of the DHS.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
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For the present, we’re saddled with the unwieldy dilemma of there being eight major Democratic candidates and just two Republicans.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Some cautioned that Ukraine isn't winning either - but with the help of drones, has managed to draw Russia into a stalemate.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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The land that Ukraine still holds in Donetsk is at the center of a stalemate in negotiations after Kyiv refused to give it up in exchange for peace.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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A little girl who loved green aliens, drinking pickle juice and picking buttercups in the field with her mom.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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Megan Thee Stallion is a genuine fan of the product — she was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before any brand partnership existed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just two weeks ago, Gary Woodland decided ot shared his struggles with post traumatic stress disorder, brought on after a September 2023 surgery, which involved a baseball-sized hole cut from the side of his head, to remove a brain lesion.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Canales admits the loss of Robinson leaves a hole in the defensive line rotation.—
Mike Kaye
March 30,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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