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
Chicago broke the stalemate in the 38th minute as forward Jonathan Bamba delivered a cross into the box that deflected off Revolution midfielder Eric Klein and into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead just shy of halftime.
—
Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
What a Lee presidency might look like Yoon’s martial law decree had been in part fueled by his frustration over a months-long political stalemate, with Lee’s Democratic Party blocking the president from moving forward with many of his campaign promises and policies.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
While the conflict has been at a stalemate for some time, with Russia controlling roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, Mr. Putin has far greater reserves of soldiers and firepower.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2025
Since then, the front line has been at a stalemate; that doesn’t mean it’s been inactive.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
What a Lee presidency might look like Yoon’s martial law decree had been in part fueled by his frustration over a months-long political stalemate, with Lee’s Democratic Party blocking the president from moving forward with many of his campaign promises and policies.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
While the conflict has been at a stalemate for some time, with Russia controlling roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, Mr. Putin has far greater reserves of soldiers and firepower.
—Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2025
Since then, the front line has been at a stalemate; that doesn’t mean it’s been inactive.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
Loyalty is hard to maintain when authenticity falters and innovation halts.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
23 June 2025
-
The Tatum injury sent Boston’s dynastic rise into a screeching halt.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Two other players with local ties — Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears (Joliet) and Michigan big man Danny Wolf (Glencoe) — are projected first-round picks, with Fears expected to go in the top 10.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
Investors are divided between preferring Musk focus on his businesses and hoping political ties would bring regulatory perks.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Turner spent a decade in Indiana, but the NBA's two-time blocks leader seemed to be at an impasse with his state of affairs in Indianapolis.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
1 July 2025
-
But, until this year, there was little movement due to the impasse between Amazon executives and the longtime shepherds of all things Bond, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Island Pier is uniquely positioned to benefit from a similar ecotourism draw.—
Joe Sills,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Meslier’s errors in the March 29 draw with Swansea City proved to be the final straw for the manager, but the Frenchman is understood to have held his hands up post-match.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin to break the deadlock.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
-
History shows that conclaves have ranged from a matter of hours to nearly three years, shaped by intrigue, deadlock, and even popular revolt.—
Dan Cody,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share