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
Given the political impasse and Hamas’s refusal to disarm, there’s no realistic path to meeting these conditions anytime soon—which means rebuilding in the red zone is indefinitely stalled.
—
Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
The apparent removal of a ceasefire from the table has now created a new impasse.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
The impasse that sparked the longest shutdown in American history at 43 days focused on health care funding.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
The announcement comes after resort ownership and its patrollers union, which have been bargaining since June, reached an impasse in negotiations.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2025
The apparent removal of a ceasefire from the table has now created a new impasse.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
The impasse that sparked the longest shutdown in American history at 43 days focused on health care funding.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025
The announcement comes after resort ownership and its patrollers union, which have been bargaining since June, reached an impasse in negotiations.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Advocates are also calling on Congress to intervene to put a halt to ICE arrests.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The ceasefire began with a halt in fighting and the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinians held by Israel.—
Samy Magdy,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This year, however, my predicament has grown more urgent.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Jan. 2026
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Owner’s Jail, to put it nicely, is the predicament of NFL fans whose team is owned by someone whose stewardship does not inspire great optimism.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Batherson had yet another chance to break the deadlock later in the same powerplay, but found the far post with a wide open net in front of him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
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That lead did not last, as Hagans created another deadlock just 44 seconds before the break, scoring from between the circles to forge a 4-4 tie after two stanzas of play.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Both dilemmas are true for too many of the few cities in Imperial County.—
John Moorlach,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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That’s because Katerjian works to help those made homeless by the fires and those whose housing dilemma predate the fires while also absorbing the loss of her own Altadena home to the fire.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Amid the stalemate, Paramount and Warner stock held steady.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Eating pickles helps with hydration and feeling full due to their high water content.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2026
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The most famous is Pickle Rick, a green pickle version of grandpa Rick.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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His absence left yet another hole in the quartet featuring him, Ball, Knueppel and Bridges.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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Plunging directly in the frigid lake via holes carved in the ice.—
Julia Sayers Gokhale,
Midwest Living,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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