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
The vote marks the latest sign of stalemate between the two sides.
—
Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025
After years of talks for a global treaty on plastic waste, the negotiations have bogged down with sessions this summer and late last year both ending in stalemate and frustration.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Government shutdown enters 3rd day amid Senate stalemate 2.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
But after that, troops would be at the mercy of negotiations on Capitol Hill, which remain at a stalemate.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025
After years of talks for a global treaty on plastic waste, the negotiations have bogged down with sessions this summer and late last year both ending in stalemate and frustration.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Government shutdown enters 3rd day amid Senate stalemate 2.
—FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
But after that, troops would be at the mercy of negotiations on Capitol Hill, which remain at a stalemate.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
Mumford and three of the night's nine musicians - including fellow full-time members Ted Dwane on stand-up bass and Ben Lovett on keys - were forced to bring the song to a halt.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The Padres were eliminated from the playoffs in the Wild Card round, and because of Wrigley Field's century-old accommodations, the umpire crew was forced to exit the game through the visitors' dugout immediately after San Diego's season had come to a screeching halt.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
To mark what would have been John Lennon’s 85th birthday, Propstore is auctioning off a handful of rare artifacts with ties to the late, great Liverpudlian musician.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
13 Oct. 2025
-
China will likely be compelled to deepen ties with other markets, said Taimur Baig, chief economist at DBS Bank, potentially offering greater access to its trading partners.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Typically such a deal would mean an equal group of Democrats and Republicans agreeing to break an impasse.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
An ally turns In his address Monday morning to explain his decision to resign, Lecornu blamed political parties' intransigence for the impasse France finds itself in.—
Charlotte Reed,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The game was a 3-3 draw, Charlton scoring twice for United.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The Dragon Link has remained a top draw for players since its July 2021 launch at the casino.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
President Emmanuel Macron is expected to pick his new prime minister by Friday evening, after outgoing PM Sebastien Lecornu led last-ditch talks for two days with political parties to try and unlock the current political deadlock.—
Charlotte Reed,
CNBC,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The political deadlock stems from Macron's shock decision in June 2024 to dissolve the National Assembly.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share