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 stalemate leaves us with the status quo, which is … really not that bad.
—
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The stalemate ended with Mnookin and the broader university system agreeing to restructure 43 DEI jobs to focus on broader student success efforts.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 25 Jan. 2026
All of these exchanges inevitably end in some sort of cringe-comedic stalemate.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
Libkos via Getty Images Russia intended this winter to be decisive, with its troop surge breaking its stalemate with Ukraine.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
The stalemate ended with Mnookin and the broader university system agreeing to restructure 43 DEI jobs to focus on broader student success efforts.
—Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 25 Jan. 2026
All of these exchanges inevitably end in some sort of cringe-comedic stalemate.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
Libkos via Getty Images Russia intended this winter to be decisive, with its troop surge breaking its stalemate with Ukraine.
—Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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Zelensky confirmed that discussions about a temporary halt in attacks on energy infrastructure took place during trilateral meetings between US, Ukrainian and Russian officials in Abu Dhabi last week.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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The dramatic halt may have been inevitable given how far and how fast metal prices had surged over the last year.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ankara has long regarded the SDF as a terror group because of its ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that waged a longrunning insurgency in Turkey.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
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Beijing has spent decades growing its trade ties and bankrolling projects in the region, to boost transportation links and cut energy costs – cementing its own influence along the way.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The parties appear at an impasse.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Workers could go without pay if the impasse drags on.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Hoosier Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
2 Feb. 2026
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The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The deadlock essentially kills the proposal because San Diego City Council policies stipulate that three votes from the five-member panel – the Rules Committee – are needed for a proposal to move forward.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
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While Cannone sent the jury back to deliberate further, the trial ultimately ended with a deadlock, leading the Norfolk County Superior Court judge to declare a mistrial on July 1.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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