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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
Saturday, a scenario that still appears possible even as Senate Democrats and White House found a path Thursday end their impasse over the budget.
—
David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Still, analysts said, the ultimate economic effect would depend on the duration of a potential partial shutdown, with losses mounting if the impasse were to stretch from days into weeks or months.
—ABC News, 30 Jan. 2026
The impasse is virtually guaranteeing another shutdown of potentially broad swaths of the federal government on the heels of last year's record-breaking crisis.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
David asks whether the country can find a way back from a dangerous moral and political impasse, as a majority of Americans recoil from these actions while a determined minority continue to defend them.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Still, analysts said, the ultimate economic effect would depend on the duration of a potential partial shutdown, with losses mounting if the impasse were to stretch from days into weeks or months.
—ABC News, 30 Jan. 2026
The impasse is virtually guaranteeing another shutdown of potentially broad swaths of the federal government on the heels of last year's record-breaking crisis.
—Lori Comstock, The Providence Journal, 29 Jan. 2026
David asks whether the country can find a way back from a dangerous moral and political impasse, as a majority of Americans recoil from these actions while a determined minority continue to defend them.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Zelensky confirmed that discussions about a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure took place during trilateral meetings between US, Ukrainian and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi last week.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The dramatic halt may have been inevitable given how far and how fast metal prices had surged over the last year.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Young is one of a number of players who find themselves in this predicament, star-level talents whose production, in one way, shape or form, falls short of the cost of doing business.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
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Then Culhane’s hat finds itself in a similar predicament.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The deadlock essentially kills the proposal because San Diego City Council policies stipulate that three votes from the five-member panel – the Rules Committee – are needed for a proposal to move forward.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
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While Cannone sent the jury back to deliberate further, the trial ultimately ended with a deadlock, leading the Norfolk County Superior Court judge to declare a mistrial on July 1.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pay attention, however, and the connection between Mary and Boo becomes more tender as their dilemma deepens, as does the relationship between Mary and her well-meaning, if totally embarrassing, mom.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
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This feels like an apt dilemma to invoke while critiquing a book about an editor.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Another reason is that the federal government is now viewed by many as so routinely dysfunctional that budget stalemates are seen as just one more example of a broader breakdown.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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Reconciliation, by contrast, allowed Republicans to pass fiscal and revenue-related farm provisions with a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster and avoiding a stalemate that could have stretched on for years.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The Athletic’s Matt Burrows wrote about how pickle juice shooters are used to target nerves that cause cramping instead of the muscle itself for quick relief.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Starters include Classic Deviled Eggs or Fried Pickles with buttermilk dressing, followed by entrée choices like the Shed Burger—topped with American and Swiss cheese, onion jam, lettuce, tomato and Shed Sauce—or a Chicken Sandwich with habanero honey and pickles.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This week’s forecast, appropriately enough, calls for sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s for the 72-hole event.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Across the street, crime scene investigators took photos of a silver Chevy car, which had at least one bullet hole in its front windshield.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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