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
The United States and China have been at a trade impasse since signing a 90-day tariff ceasefire in May.
—
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Part of the debate locally is the balance between hard dollars and human impact, a bit of a fiscal hawk versus bleeding heart impasse.
—Jennifer Sanders, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Much of the positive sentiment, according to board officials, came from developments in the U.S.-China trade impasse.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 May 2025
In response to an impasse over the issue at a club meeting, the footballers walked out, went down the street to a nearby restaurant, and founded Football-Club Bayern Munchen.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Part of the debate locally is the balance between hard dollars and human impact, a bit of a fiscal hawk versus bleeding heart impasse.
—Jennifer Sanders, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Much of the positive sentiment, according to board officials, came from developments in the U.S.-China trade impasse.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 May 2025
In response to an impasse over the issue at a club meeting, the footballers walked out, went down the street to a nearby restaurant, and founded Football-Club Bayern Munchen.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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The report calls for the destruction of all enrichment sites, the removal or seizure of enriched uranium, the dismantling of advanced centrifuges, and a permanent halt to weaponization efforts.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
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All of this has affected how companies are handling Pride this month, causing a deafening halt compared to previous years.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Two years ago, when Villa were in a similar predicament, the sale of Martinez was discussed as a last resort before the club decided to move on talented youngsters to balance the books instead.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
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But this latest landslide win creates a predicament for the Philippines, as the mayor-elect is thousands of miles away behind bars awaiting trial on charges of crimes against humanity.—
Kathleen Magramo,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin to break the deadlock.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
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History shows that conclaves have ranged from a matter of hours to nearly three years, shaped by intrigue, deadlock, and even popular revolt.—
Dan Cody,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Noun
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This poses a dilemma since water that is applied rolls down the sides of the container without soaking the soil.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
19 June 2025
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Thus far, India has escaped this dilemma because successive U.S. presidential administrations have deliberately overlooked these dalliances.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Noun
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So unless the Wild change course and offer him a two- or three-year deal with a significantly higher AAV ($6 million?), the sides will remain in a stalemate.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Recommended As more troops enter Los Angeles, dueling narratives over how to keep the peace In recent days, amid reports that Trump administration efforts to reach a deal with Iran on its enrichment program were reaching a stalemate, warnings of an Israeli attack proliferated.—
Shoshanna Solomon,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
Noun
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In addition to sauces, Pickled Prince sells pickles, giardiniera and kimchi at farmers markets, alongside a funky-looking pickle mascot.—
Ahmed Ali Akbar,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
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Add 1 tablespoon of the simple syrup and pickle brine.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The venue’s sixth hole is a demanding 574 yards, though the back nine eases up with two par-3 offerings.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
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Ideal for making holes in the ground, transferring plants, and softening up soil, the tools are manufactured from sturdy carbon steel but are also lightweight and easy to manipulate.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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