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 26-year-old pass-rusher had been locked in a stalemate with Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones over contract negotiations for weeks, and neither side appeared to be willing to concede an inch.
—
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
The North Carolina General Assembly returned Tuesday for the first time since last month, as a budget stalemate between the House and Senate drags on.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2025
That stalemate was central to a line of questioning from one board member during the group’s discussion about York’s contract — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who expressed concern about the authority’s role in negotiating with potential East Bank tenants.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Aug. 2025
This approach risks a stalemate.
—Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
The North Carolina General Assembly returned Tuesday for the first time since last month, as a budget stalemate between the House and Senate drags on.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2025
That stalemate was central to a line of questioning from one board member during the group’s discussion about York’s contract — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who expressed concern about the authority’s role in negotiating with potential East Bank tenants.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 28 Aug. 2025
This approach risks a stalemate.
—Lake County News-Sun, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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The complaint also seeks the halt of all work on the project, pending the investigation the petition seeks.—
Penny Weaver,
Arkansas Online,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Instantly, traffic came to a halt on the busy corridor in Everett.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Dolphins would never willingly take on almost $80 million in dead space, and the team has also not shown any signs of even benching the star quarterback, much less cutting ties with him altogether.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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These cable ties come in a pack of 24 and can be used over and over again.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As ghosts tend to do, Swayman’s absence haunted the B’s training camp and, even though Swayman signed his eight-year, $66 million before the start of the season, the impasse adversely affected both Swayman’s play and the team’s.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
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Maybe Tom noticed the group was still at an impasse with three minutes to go.—
Tessa West,
CNBC,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Carolina started its season with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Fort Lauderdale, highlighted by Mercado’s league-record goal in her debut and a stoppage-time equalizer by Audrey Harding.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
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Barcelona’s thrashing of Alhama was the match with the most interventions (12) and the only game in which there were no challenges was Athletic Club’s goalless draw with CD Tenerife.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ceasefire talks ended in deadlock in July.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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On June 30, three months into the standoff, the Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee called the two sides in for a hearing that broke months of deadlock and prompted new proposals from Anthem.—
Bram Sable-Smith,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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