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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impasses
The second chapter intertwines misfortune and impasses.
—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to withhold lawmakers’ pay during government shutdowns, aiming to encourage faster resolution of federal budget impasses after record-breaking closures.
—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
How long should these impasses between words, ideas, formal breakthroughs last, anyway, in any one spell of writing?
—
Dan Chiasson,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Apr. 2026
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
Some of the money is frozen due to budgetary or legal impasses.
—
Caio Delcolli,
IndieWire,
26 Nov. 2025
Such impasses typically end when one party decides the political costs of keeping the government closed outweigh the concessions of opening it.
—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to withhold lawmakers’ pay during government shutdowns, aiming to encourage faster resolution of federal budget impasses after record-breaking closures.
—
Joey Cappelletti,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
How long should these impasses between words, ideas, formal breakthroughs last, anyway, in any one spell of writing?
—
Dan Chiasson,
The New York Review of Books,
22 Apr. 2026
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
Some of the money is frozen due to budgetary or legal impasses.
—
Caio Delcolli,
IndieWire,
26 Nov. 2025
Such impasses typically end when one party decides the political costs of keeping the government closed outweigh the concessions of opening it.
—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasses
Noun
-
Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
-
In practice the printer ran for about 3 months (including setup and halts), whereas a traditional cast bridge might have taken 3–4 times longer.
Noun
-
At the time, the metaphor seemed to work because of the particular dilemmas posed by Brexit.
-
Readers learn not simply from facts but from context, uncertainty, leadership dilemmas and competing priorities.
Noun
-
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.
-
Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.
Noun
-
Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.
Noun
-
Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.
-
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.
Noun
-
Those with the most pickles by weight will face off for the title of Baron of Bobbing.
-
Layer the onions, 2 to 3 bacon pieces, and 2 to 3 pickles over the patty.
Noun
-
And that’s just one of Cleveland’s logjams.
-
Second, the Red Sox could streamline their roster and finally clear out the logjams that have gummed up the works for the past two years.
Noun
-
The piece has seven holes for customization, and it’s designed to be worn at the hips or waist.
-
If your idea of a bucket-list trip includes your furry friend digging holes in the sand and splashing around in the surf, then add Rehoboth Beach to the top of your list.
Cite this Entry
“Impasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasses. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
