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
While controllers may not be caught in the latest political game of chicken, proactively protecting these federal employees from paycheck lapses would prevent additional airport chaos during future funding impasses.
—
Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The problems during the latest shutdown are renewing attention to ways to prevent airport security operations from being slowed during political impasses, including allowing more airports to outsource security screening while maintaining TSA oversight.
—John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Now in its fourth week, the impasse has left the Department of Homeland Security operating without a budget due to a congressional deadlock between Democrats and Republicans.
—Chase Jordan
march 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
South Bay Union School District teachers won’t strike after all, after their union and the district broke through an impasse and approved a new contract following nearly two years of talks.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The problems during the latest shutdown are renewing attention to ways to prevent airport security operations from being slowed during political impasses, including allowing more airports to outsource security screening while maintaining TSA oversight.
—John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Now in its fourth week, the impasse has left the Department of Homeland Security operating without a budget due to a congressional deadlock between Democrats and Republicans.
—Chase Jordan
march 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026
South Bay Union School District teachers won’t strike after all, after their union and the district broke through an impasse and approved a new contract following nearly two years of talks.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
-
The LeMans pulls to a halt right where the camera can look through the open passenger window.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Concerns over oil prices have remained elevated this week, as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz ground to a halt due to the threat of Iranian attacks on vessels.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Terrified teens are expected to explain their predicament to the court and risk dire punishment at home.—
Fraidy Reiss,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
As the ballerinas hatch a plan to come out of their predicament alive, bodies begin to drop dead.—
Lé Baltar,
IndieWire,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fraser Minten, who had hit a post in the first period, clanged the crossbar on a redirect just as a power play had expired and the sides went into the third in a 0-0 deadlock.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Now in its fourth week, the impasse has left the Department of Homeland Security operating without a budget due to a congressional deadlock between Democrats and Republicans.—
Chase Jordan
March 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite all the developments since the FOMC’s last meeting, Boston College economics professor Brian Bethune said the Fed’s dilemma has not changed.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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Helen is said to have sacrificed a promising acting career to star in her husband’s films and raise their kids, adding an interesting wrinkle to Ula’s dilemma about breaking the news of her next gig to her parents.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now Freeman is hopeful that a change in leadership at DHS will help to break the stalemate over funding for the department.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
-
And Inter Miami is still at a stalemate with Nashville SC in its CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 series following a scoreless road draw on Wednesday in the first leg.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The teams barely missed early on, playing at such a pace that Kent had mini pickle juice canisters on the bench to help prevent cramping.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Place them in a cute Weck jar and have a little pickle fork handy.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Acuña grounded to the shortstop hole and beat Antonacci’s throw from the outfield grass as pinch-runner Andrés Giménez scored.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Photographs shown to jurors depicted bullet holes in the exterior walls of the residence and inside the bedroom where Moïse was killed.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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