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
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
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
Another reason is that these funding impasses are often covered by the media.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
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
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
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
-
Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To help resolve these dilemmas, European industry leaders are calling for government support, including subsidies and tax breaks, to level the playing field with Chinese competitors whose products come at unbeatable prices.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
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.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
-
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.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Journeys that used to take entire seasons were being covered in single episodes, characters survived predicaments that once meant surefire death, and previously relevant factors like supplies, infrastructure, and alliances no longer mattered.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Victorian novels made good use of the predicaments of second and third sons, who had to become ministers or soldiers or schemers, and daughters who needed to be married off according to age.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Over the decades, children have given up everything from sunflower seeds to pickles.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
With about 100 vendors, there is a little bit of everything here, from jewelry to pickles and hot sauce to collectible items like coins and comic books.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The pilot program is starting with off-peak trains so Metra can avoid logjams.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Removing the bridge will improve the flow of water on the Kankakee and lessen the need for crews to repeatedly remove logjams there.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nelly Korda birdied her final two holes to shoot a 69 to move to 5 under and in second place, setting up a final pairing of friendly rivals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
These small black beetles chew holes in leaves and stunt the plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasses. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
