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
What appears today as strategic stalemate could rapidly transform into something more volatile—and dangerous—for both countries.
—
Tong Zhao, Foreign Affairs, 2 May 2025
So unless the Wild change course and offer him a two- or three-year deal with a significantly higher AAV ($6 million?), the sides will remain in a stalemate.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Recommended As more troops enter Los Angeles, dueling narratives over how to keep the peace
In recent days, amid reports that Trump administration efforts to reach a deal with Iran on its enrichment program were reaching a stalemate, warnings of an Israeli attack proliferated.
—Shoshanna Solomon, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
Now once again in a stalemate with the organization, McLaurin hopes his holdout ends with another lucrative contract.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Tong Zhao, Foreign Affairs, 2 May 2025
So unless the Wild change course and offer him a two- or three-year deal with a significantly higher AAV ($6 million?), the sides will remain in a stalemate.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 19 June 2025
Recommended As more troops enter Los Angeles, dueling narratives over how to keep the peace
In recent days, amid reports that Trump administration efforts to reach a deal with Iran on its enrichment program were reaching a stalemate, warnings of an Israeli attack proliferated.
—Shoshanna Solomon, Christian Science Monitor, 13 June 2025
Now once again in a stalemate with the organization, McLaurin hopes his holdout ends with another lucrative contract.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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About three-quarters of the way through the video, the song screeches to a halt, as the video shows four men listening to a boombox.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
5 July 2025
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On the conflict in Ukraine, Ushakov said Trump emphasized his push for a quick halt to the fighting, and Putin voiced Moscow’s readiness to pursue talks with Kyiv, noting the previous rounds in Turkey yielded humanitarian results.—
Vladimir Isachenkov,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Two other players with local ties — Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears (Joliet) and Michigan big man Danny Wolf (Glencoe) — are projected first-round picks, with Fears expected to go in the top 10.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
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Investors are divided between preferring Musk focus on his businesses and hoping political ties would bring regulatory perks.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Turner spent a decade in Indiana, but the NBA's two-time blocks leader seemed to be at an impasse with his state of affairs in Indianapolis.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
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But, until this year, there was little movement due to the impasse between Amazon executives and the longtime shepherds of all things Bond, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Island Pier is uniquely positioned to benefit from a similar ecotourism draw.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Meslier’s errors in the March 29 draw with Swansea City proved to be the final straw for the manager, but the Frenchman is understood to have held his hands up post-match.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
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It’s cleverly done, with the audience treated to a young Ollie Rathbone weaving in and out of an opposition defence to score with a thumping finish in junior football just moments before being shown doing exactly the same to break the deadlock after 15 minutes.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
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Giving more countries a veto might result in nothing but more deadlock.—
Amanda Chicago Lewis,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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