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
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Michigan Medicine have reached a tentative contract agreement, ending a stalemate that threatened to disrupt healthcare coverage for thousands of Michigan residents.
—
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 27 May 2026
At the heart of the looming MLB labor negotiations stalemate that threatens the 2027 season is the idea of introducing a salary cap in baseball.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 27 May 2026
The talks reached a stalemate after months of diplomacy, with concessions of Ukrainian territory to Russia remaining a sticking point.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Tallinn, Estonia — Russian President Vladimir Putin is running out of time to win his war against Ukraine, amid a stalemate on the battlefield and growing troubles at home, a European intelligence chief has told CNN.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 27 May 2026
At the heart of the looming MLB labor negotiations stalemate that threatens the 2027 season is the idea of introducing a salary cap in baseball.
—Dan Shanoff, New York Times, 27 May 2026
The talks reached a stalemate after months of diplomacy, with concessions of Ukrainian territory to Russia remaining a sticking point.
—Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Tallinn, Estonia — Russian President Vladimir Putin is running out of time to win his war against Ukraine, amid a stalemate on the battlefield and growing troubles at home, a European intelligence chief has told CNN.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
As Russia’s advance stalls, Ukraine boosts long-range strikes After a series of gains last year, Russia’s advances along the over 600-mile front line have ground to a near halt recently, and Ukraine’s armed forces have launched successful counterstrikes and reclaimed some ground.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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The painstaking work of clearing depots has ground to a halt, overtaken by a more volatile reality.—
Euan Ward,
New Yorker,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Add in singles by Jung Hoo Lee, a sacrifice fly by Daniel Susac, and an RBI single by Harrison Bader, and the Giants turned a tie ballgame into a 3-1 lead.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Then Bella Perez hit a two-run home in the eighth to break a 3-3 tie.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Faye probably calculated that the move, announced late on Friday, could bury his own political career but was worth the risk to break an impasse that has prevented the country plotting a path out of its debilitating debt crisis.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
-
The rival teams were supposed to meet Sunday afternoon to figure a way out of the impasse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The pools and beach area are a big draw for guests, but there is also a local membership option.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The regulatory amendments approved Tuesday allows two existing draw games — Megabucks and Mass Cash — also to be available via the iLottery platform.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Oil prices rise, stocks fall over Hormuz deadlock Oil prices rose and stocks slipped on growing signs that the Strait of Hormuz was likely to remain all but shut for the foreseeable future.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 May 2026
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Then Hertl broke the deadlock — and now the Golden Knights just need to win one of four games.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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