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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stalemate
He and Jennifer are forced to go on the run as the feds chase after them and must eventually trick WOPR into a stalemate before everything goes boom.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
But by the time 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl arrived at the presidential compound that September, Iran's demands had sent the nuclear talks into a stalemate.
—Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Ukraine has rejected the idea, creating a stalemate that persists even as the war takes its toll on both countries.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
The stalemate continues and, as the war enters its fourth year, Ukraine continues to struggle along the frontlines.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2026
But by the time 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl arrived at the presidential compound that September, Iran's demands had sent the nuclear talks into a stalemate.
—Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Ukraine has rejected the idea, creating a stalemate that persists even as the war takes its toll on both countries.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 24 Feb. 2026
The stalemate continues and, as the war enters its fourth year, Ukraine continues to struggle along the frontlines.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
The LeMans pulls to a halt right where the camera can look through the open passenger window.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Concerns over oil prices have remained elevated this week, as oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz ground to a halt due to the threat of Iranian attacks on vessels.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Such a distinction had only ever applied to infrastructure firms, like Huawei or Kaspersky Labs, with ties to adversarial foreign governments, and there was no domestic precedent.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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The game featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties, and Acuff, the SEC’s scoring leader and league’s player and freshman of the year, had 21 in the first half to keep Arkansas within 39-37 at halftime.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After bargaining talks toward a new contract had reached an impasse, the union voted in January to authorize a strike.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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Anderson says the men have reached an impasse and is asking a judge to dissolve their business connections.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The results are in for the Nebraska Lottery’s draw games on Sunday, March 8, 2026.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Ray Padilla,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fraser Minten, who had hit a post in the first period, clanged the crossbar on a redirect just as a power play had expired and the sides went into the third in a 0-0 deadlock.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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Now in its fourth week, the impasse has left the Department of Homeland Security operating without a budget due to a congressional deadlock between Democrats and Republicans.—
Chase Jordan
March 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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