1
as in halts
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 ties
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 stalemates
Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.
—
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The stalemates were the latest in the finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans over who was responsible for the prolonged shutdown.
—Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Netanyahu once shunned long wars and ground operations, aware of the cost and political capital that resulted in indecisive conclusions or stalemates.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The stalemates were the latest in the finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans over who was responsible for the prolonged shutdown.
—Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Netanyahu once shunned long wars and ground operations, aware of the cost and political capital that resulted in indecisive conclusions or stalemates.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemates
Noun
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Conflict in Yemen has prompted air traffic halts — leaving about 600 tourists stranded on a remote island.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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The fact that any soliloquy halts dramatic action also poses a challenge.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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One of Philadelphia's most iconic families has ties to one of golf's greatest championships.—
Nikki DeMentri,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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The future judge once hand-delivered $3 million to the Italian kidnappers of Getty’s grandson, in 1973, CalMatters reported, while noting deep ties also between the Newsom family and other San Francisco political royalty, the Browns and Pelosis.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some of the money is frozen due to budgetary or legal impasses.—
Caio Delcolli,
IndieWire,
26 Nov. 2025
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Such impasses typically end when one party decides the political costs of keeping the government closed outweigh the concessions of opening it.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But Amanyara's draws go well beyond its physical glow-up.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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There have been stingy draws, a high-scoring draw and a couple of Elland Road hidings, but this was Daniel Farke’s Leeds unshackled, intoxicated, for good and bad, by the same icy Tyneside air which made Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United sides so iconic.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for reform of the Security Council's permanent members in his annual statement on the anniversary of the United Nations charter, arguing that the current establishment excludes key global voices and suffers from too many deadlocks.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemates. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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