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
Two sides abandon all perspective, politicians fail to broker between them, a sclerotic legal system draws out the stalemate, and the result is status quo, plus an infuriating escalation of costs.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 June 2025
Trump also did not say if the ongoing negotiations with Iran had reached a stalemate or how U.S. would respond to an Iranian retaliation.
—Henry J. Gomez, NBC news, 23 June 2025
In Geneva, negotiators will attempt to break the stalemate between countries that want a strong treaty limiting the total global production of plastic and a few plastic and petroleum producing nations that oppose such a cap.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The stalemate between the Wu administration and the Krafts is now in the hands of a mediator, who will have the difficult job of figuring out a compromise that will probably not satisfy either side.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 23 June 2025
Trump also did not say if the ongoing negotiations with Iran had reached a stalemate or how U.S. would respond to an Iranian retaliation.
—Henry J. Gomez, NBC news, 23 June 2025
In Geneva, negotiators will attempt to break the stalemate between countries that want a strong treaty limiting the total global production of plastic and a few plastic and petroleum producing nations that oppose such a cap.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The stalemate between the Wu administration and the Krafts is now in the hands of a mediator, who will have the difficult job of figuring out a compromise that will probably not satisfy either side.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
While the lawyers’ work stoppage continues to grind the gears of justice to a halt, Hayden says that his office is doing their best to move forward with their own work.—
Matthew Medsger,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
-
After kicking off its first season in 2011, the show was brought to a halt in 2013, until the series was successfully rebooted in 2021.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Spanish government recently renounced U.S. aircraft purchases and resisted intense pressure to commit to NATO’s new 5% defense spending target, while seeking closer economic ties with China.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
12 Aug. 2025
-
New York Shorts features films by directors with ties to New York: Bingham Bryant’s Doomed and Famous, Eve Liu’s Nervous Energy, Mary Rose McClain’s February Omen, Nathan Silver’s Carol & Joy, and David Cardoza’s Turtle Sandwich.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Several designers in the Design Museum survey call attention to this impasse with absurdism.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The impasse on legislation started to break in 2018, along with Colorado’s purple reputation.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
17 Aug. 2025
-
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at securing a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza war and a deal for the release of half the hostages ended last week in deadlock.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
3 Aug. 2025
-
At the same time, the latest deadlock in Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release talks is likely to further prolong the conflict, which continues to rage on in Gaza.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share