1
as in halts
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 dilemmas
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 impasses
YouTube has navigated similar impasses with other entertainment companies this year.
—
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Similar sticking points have led to impasses in the separate negotiation processes, now requiring a third party to assist with mediation and fact-finding.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Another reason is that these funding impasses are often covered by the media.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Similar sticking points have led to impasses in the separate negotiation processes, now requiring a third party to assist with mediation and fact-finding.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Another reason is that these funding impasses are often covered by the media.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasses
Noun
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The author recalled having a nightmare about his own family and unconsciously tapping into his personal dilemmas, which provided the basis for the book by the time the sun rose.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Those on the conference call would likely face very human dilemmas, and that might lead them to deviate from the rules, added Erin Dumbacher, an expert in nuclear policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The stalemates were the latest in the finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans over who was responsible for the prolonged shutdown.—
Lawrence Andrea,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Netanyahu once shunned long wars and ground operations, aware of the cost and political capital that resulted in indecisive conclusions or stalemates.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pakistan Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said his nation was hoping for more of a consensus going into Tuesday’s vote given the funding predicaments and operational issues that have dogged the MSS.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Is River in desperate need of some R&R, or is everyone else projecting their own predicaments onto him?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for reform of the Security Council's permanent members in his annual statement on the anniversary of the United Nations charter, arguing that the current establishment excludes key global voices and suffers from too many deadlocks.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Twice in recent years, the board spent months facing regular partisan deadlocks — first after Nathan Fletcher resigned in 2023 and again after Nora Vargas left office early this year.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To get the Benny Blanco drink, customers could add cherry flavor and pickles.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Then she’s trapped by aisles on all sides, boxed in by shelf after shelf of pickles.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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To avoid the logistical logjams that had been predicted, the rollout is being staggered.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
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The city has also removed 50 logjams from the Rouge River, Hammoud said.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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To prevent water buildup that could block energy generation, the researchers added micro drainage holes that let water flow downward but not upward, and keep the surface clear for droplet impacts.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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On Tuesday, the league announced that from the upcoming season, all LIV events will be played over four days and 72 holes.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Examples include The Dutch Kettle of Hamptonville, which makes fruit jams, jellies and barbecue sauce.—
Chase Jordan
November 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
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The berries, which birds also love, can be eaten fresh or made into jams and jellies.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasses. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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