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
In the coming weeks, the NFL intends to begin hiring and training replacement officials, hoping to avoid a situation similar to 2012 when a stalemate led to a 110-day lockout and fill-in officials, many unprepared, were pressed into action.
—
Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
With lawmakers scattered and neither side moving, the stalemate entered another week with no clear end in sight.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Congress is still at a stalemate over legislation to fund DHS, TSA's parent agency.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
The land that Ukraine still holds in Donetsk is at the center of a stalemate in negotiations after Kyiv refused to give it up in exchange for peace.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
With lawmakers scattered and neither side moving, the stalemate entered another week with no clear end in sight.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Congress is still at a stalemate over legislation to fund DHS, TSA's parent agency.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
The land that Ukraine still holds in Donetsk is at the center of a stalemate in negotiations after Kyiv refused to give it up in exchange for peace.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
The bridge plunged into the Patapsco River below, killing six construction workers and bringing the major shipping artery at the Port of Baltimore to a screeching halt.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
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Zelenskyy said Ukraine had repeatedly proposed a halt to fighting for Orthodox Easter.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Orbán, who refused to sever Hungary’s ties to Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has repeatedly obstructed European efforts to aid Kyiv.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The recent run-up in energy prices ties back to oil.—
Greg Iacurci,Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The impasse raises new questions about Lebanon.—
Munir Ahmed,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The interview, which will be published in full on Sunday online, comes as talks between Washington and Havana seem to have hit an impasse.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Napoli conceded a goal after 33 seconds in a draw that may end its chances of successfully defending the Serie A title.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, Berterame was ruled offside, and another match filled with mixed results ended with what’s become an all-too familiar result of late for the home side as Inter Miami finished with a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Morrissey, who was dancing dangerously on the blue line from his first shift of the game — and who scored the goal that broke the deadlock in Winnipeg’s favour — singlehandedly redefined Winnipeg’s margin for error in the first period against the Blues.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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Taiwan is failing to adequately plan for its own defense, a former senior official warned, as the island faces a political deadlock over a military spending bill and an upcoming visit by the opposition leader to Beijing.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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