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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stalemate
Clayton, should he be confirmed by the Senate, would replace top housing official Bill Pulte, whose pending appointment as interim director has led to a congressional stalemate over a controversial spy program authorized under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
11 June 2026
But without a framework that ties learning, engagement, and performance into one system, many companies risk reaching a stalemate.
—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
European Council President Antonio Costa, during a visit last week, urged Kosovo to end the political stalemate and unite over the goal of EU integration.
—
ABC News,
6 June 2026
However, ever since the 2001 benefit increase there’s been a political stalemate, pitting employers against unions.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
11 June 2026
But without a framework that ties learning, engagement, and performance into one system, many companies risk reaching a stalemate.
—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
European Council President Antonio Costa, during a visit last week, urged Kosovo to end the political stalemate and unite over the goal of EU integration.
—
ABC News,
6 June 2026
However, ever since the 2001 benefit increase there’s been a political stalemate, pitting employers against unions.
—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
South Korea's Kospi closed down almost 6%, a rout that sparked a 20-minute trading halt, after a volatile week for chip giant and market heavyweight SK hynix, whose share price shed more than eight percent Friday.
-
The lawsuit also asks for a halt to all new fossil fuel projects.
Noun
-
Misiorowski didn’t give up a hit until Seiya Suzuki broke a scoreless tie with a home run to lead off the fifth inning.
-
Sean walked the runway in a satin blazer overcoat with jeans, a button-up shirt and a tie.
Noun
-
Simultaneously, contract negotiations with center Walker Kessler are at an impasse over a five-year, $140 million offer, with Kessler reportedly frustrated.
-
The impasse is amplified by the Department of the Interior staffing and budget cuts.
Noun
-
After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.
-
The teen, who attended Monday’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand and has a ticket for Sunday’s match against Belgium, is one of several fans from Los Angeles who made the drive to stay with the team.
Noun
-
The second retrial also ended in mistrial this May, due to jury deadlock.
-
Two minutes later, Paraguay’s Mauricio forced a Patrick Beach save, then Australia’s counterattack saw an Alexandro Maidana shot attempt to end the scoreless deadlock.
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
