1
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
a new negotiator finally got both sides past the stalemate
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other
after playing chess for 16 hours, we ended the game in a stalemate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stalemate
The government has been shut down since October 1, and Republicans and Democrats have been in a stalemate, trading blame back-and-forth over who caused the shutdown and seeking to garner support for resolutions to re-open the government.
—
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
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
With an ongoing budget stalemate among lawmakers in Raleigh, public school teachers have not received any pay raises from the state this year and won’t until a new state budget is approved.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
As the stalemate enters its 21st day, both parties face mounting pressure to resolve the gridlock, with hundreds of thousands of government workers still furloughed.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
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
With an ongoing budget stalemate among lawmakers in Raleigh, public school teachers have not received any pay raises from the state this year and won’t until a new state budget is approved.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
As the stalemate enters its 21st day, both parties face mounting pressure to resolve the gridlock, with hundreds of thousands of government workers still furloughed.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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One loose bolt or misplaced screw is enough to grind the entire contraption to a halt.—
Robert Mays,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Brit was looking to cement his status after a blistering 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304, but his night came to a sudden halt before the opening round could conclude.—
Antonio Losada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Improving ties with Japan could give Trump more leverage.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Maintaining positive ties with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung would continue the lattice-like foreign policy encouraged by Washington, one that favors multilateral cooperation among like-minded nations over bilateral dependence.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The building strain on lawmakers to end the impasse was magnified by the nation’s largest federal employee union, which called on Congress to immediately pass a funding bill and ensure workers receive full pay.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse over extending Affordable Care Act tax subsidies.—
Terry Moseley,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Last season, injuries and suspensions contributed to Arsenal going four league games without a win (two losses and two draws), with another end-of-season slump coinciding with a greater push in the Champions League — winning only one of six games between matchday 31 and 36, racking up four draws.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Oct. 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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As Monaco ramped up the second-half pressure, with Spurs seemingly having no answer for the pace and fervour with which the Ligue 1 side attacked Frank’s defence from all angles, Netherlands international Teze looked set to break the deadlock.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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