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
Unfortunately for the couple, negotiations to end the war appear to have hit an impasse.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The chamber passed the legislation through voice vote with little fanfare, a sign that lawmakers were finally ready to put the impasse behind them.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The impasse apparently led to a couple of scuffles, including one at a barbershop where Carter was nearly stabbed until one of the men cutting hair intervened.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, the WGA West said that the two sides are at an impasse and that its most recent offer, made on April 8, is final.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 Apr. 2026
The chamber passed the legislation through voice vote with little fanfare, a sign that lawmakers were finally ready to put the impasse behind them.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
The impasse apparently led to a couple of scuffles, including one at a barbershop where Carter was nearly stabbed until one of the men cutting hair intervened.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, the WGA West said that the two sides are at an impasse and that its most recent offer, made on April 8, is final.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Detroit turned up the heat on defense while Orlando’s offense came to a complete halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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Today, roughly half of the global ethylene and polyethylene supply is stranded, constrained, or directly affected by the halt to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial transit point for 20% of the world’s crude.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Our predicament was worsened by the motor-laden, vertically floating canoe that offered little support and would not be blown or pushed ashore, and by the loss of untethered life cushions and the lack of life jackets.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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Eddie Howe experienced a similar predicament and challenges on the financial front, with a desire for squad rejuvenation.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But ultimately the world's most important central bank still faces a political deadlock, said DealBook in The New York Times.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
26 Apr. 2026
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With a new, major contemporary art museum, Kanal-Pompidou, due to open in November; a coalition regional government that finally formed after 600 days of deadlock; and a competitive 6 percent VAT on art sales that went into effect at the end of 2025, the moment for that experimentation seems ripe.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For example, the false dilemma logical fallacy has become a very popular way to persuade people to incorrectly believe there are only two options.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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While the work’s English title might indicate a sense of amusement or distraction, the Chinese title is an idiom that refers to being caught in a dilemma, like a boat that has left one shore but has not yet reached the other.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Noun
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That gave Washington’s supporters 25 of the 50 seats in the City Council, and with the mayor casting a tiebreaking vote, the stalemate was broken.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
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The context North Carolina lawmakers still have not passed a state budget for this fiscal year, which began in July, amid an ongoing tax cut stalemate between the House and Senate.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
2 May 2026
Noun
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The iconic pickle-on-a-stick is also a hit with guests looking for something quick and easy.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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The menu bears a familiar DNA from chef Misti Norris (formally of Petra and the Beast), with ferments, pickles, and preserves making appearances throughout.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The project calls for the company to drill as many as 18 holes down some 1,000 feet into the Earth to collect samples.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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Another early hole The Lightning outplayed the Canadiens for much of the first period but couldn’t score the opening goal.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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