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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
The second chapter intertwines misfortune and impasses.
—
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Eastside Innovation, the developer trying to bring a billion-dollar, mixed-use development to the site where Indian Springs Mall once stood, has reached an impasse with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK over a key sticking point.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
The vote June 3, which was mostly symbolic, marked a new period of congressional unease with the conflict in the Middle East amid an impasse in peace negotiations.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The curfew impasse must be resolved with the civil liberties community at the table, not in opposition.
—Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Eastside Innovation, the developer trying to bring a billion-dollar, mixed-use development to the site where Indian Springs Mall once stood, has reached an impasse with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK over a key sticking point.
—Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
The vote June 3, which was mostly symbolic, marked a new period of congressional unease with the conflict in the Middle East amid an impasse in peace negotiations.
—Carlie Procell, USA Today, 4 June 2026
The curfew impasse must be resolved with the civil liberties community at the table, not in opposition.
—Desmon Yancy, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Road blockades have caused shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies in parts of the country and ground the economy to a halt over the past 50 days.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
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The ceasefire in the MOU extends to a halt in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, requiring Israel to withdraw from Lebanon under a final deal that Trump hopes to reach within 60 days.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Noun
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The Riverdale alum explains his character's complicated predicament, which leads to his unraveling.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
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That would have been a real predicament.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi broke through with little more than a quarter hour to go, slamming a chest-high volley past goaltender Nikola Vasilj to end the deadlock.—
Josh Gross,
Oc Register,
18 June 2026
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The deadlock reflected significant disagreement among jurors over the brothers' motives and the credibility of their abuse claims.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
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Belgium’s Jeremy Doku is due to become a father for the first time while the World Cup is still on and wants to be at the birth, creating a potential dilemma for the team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
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For Meloni, the dilemma is strategic.—
Giada Zampano,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Noun
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Clayton, should he be confirmed by the Senate, would replace top housing official Bill Pulte, whose pending appointment as interim director has led to a congressional stalemate over a controversial spy program authorized under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
11 June 2026
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Its passage ends a monthslong stalemate over immigration enforcement that has shut down parts of the Department of Homeland Security.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
Noun
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In general, fermented foods like natto, pickles, and vegetables are a staple of Japanese dining culture.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
13 June 2026
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Siazon decided to turn a childhood memory of making pickles with her family into a viable business.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Options for family fun range from tennis and pickleball courts, croquet lawns, and two 18-hole golf courses to a seasonal outdoor pool with a waterslide and splash pad.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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The Braves’ hot start has covered over some holes.—
Jim Bowden,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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