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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
However, the talks remain at an impasse.
—
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Both companies blame each other for the impasse.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Aug. 2025
The impasse is happening during a school year for which there is a growing chorus of people calling for change.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
End of an Era Busy beaver hunters started chipping away at the BB(6) problem in earnest in the 1990s and 2000s, during an impasse in the BB(5) hunt.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025
Both companies blame each other for the impasse.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Aug. 2025
The impasse is happening during a school year for which there is a growing chorus of people calling for change.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025
End of an Era Busy beaver hunters started chipping away at the BB(6) problem in earnest in the 1990s and 2000s, during an impasse in the BB(5) hunt.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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But just as the journey was about to begin, COVID-19 forced everything to a halt.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
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At Walt Disney World in Orlando free buses from the airport to its on-site hotels ground to a halt along with contactless room keys which came in the form of collectable wristbands.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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With the bullish determination of Ed and the wide-eyed second sight of Lorraine, the Warrens’ only child sells a clear vision of right and wrong when news of the Smurls’ predicament comes their way.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
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To that end, Johnson and the CTU’s Springfield strategy has been at the forefront of all their public messaging on how the school district gets out of this fiscal predicament.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ceasefire talks ended in deadlock in July.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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On June 30, three months into the standoff, the Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee called the two sides in for a hearing that broke months of deadlock and prompted new proposals from Anthem.—
Bram Sable-Smith,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The company applies a sociological attention to the gestures and dilemmas of people’s daily routines; once harvested, these insights are quickly incorporated into product designs.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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Drone dilemma The US excels at building large, expensive weaponry, but most American soldiers lack the know-how for fighting with unmanned systems.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On Monday, the Chicago Bulls made headlines by ending their stalemate with Josh Giddey and re-signing the soon-to-be 23-year-old to a four-year, $100 million deal.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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During the three-month stalemate between the insurer and the health system in Missouri, patients with Anthem plans lost in-network coverage with the region’s largest — and, for some specialties, only — medical provider.—
Bram Sable-Smith,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those lessons will have to come quickly, considering the season pickle the Chiefs have put themselves in.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Top with chicken mixture and pickle slices.—
Mary Claire Britton,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On the 18th hole of the final match, Nicklaus sank his par putt and then conceded Tony Jacklin’s short par putt, ensuring both the match and the Ryder Cup ended in a tie.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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My only shot was through a hole the size of a business card between some limbs.—
Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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