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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stalemates
The legislation's passage represented a rare moment of bipartisan achievement in a Congress that has been marked by obstruction and a series of stalemates.
—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Another reason is that the federal government is now viewed by many as so routinely dysfunctional that budget stalemates are seen as just one more example of a broader breakdown.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Another reason is that the federal government is now viewed by many as so routinely dysfunctional that budget stalemates are seen as just one more example of a broader breakdown.
—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemates
Noun
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The automatic stay halts proceedings but doesn't compel creditors to undo pre-petition filings without operative effect.
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Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
Noun
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Ukrainska Pravda said he was targeted by Ukrainian sanctions in 2023 for ties to Russia, a year after Moscow launched its ongoing full-scale invasion.
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Interestingly, her bandmate Tzuyu’s frilly bloomers with garter-type ties did not fan flames on social media.
Noun
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The second chapter intertwines misfortune and impasses.
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The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to withhold lawmakers’ pay during government shutdowns, aiming to encourage faster resolution of federal budget impasses after record-breaking closures.
Noun
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Unbeaten Cape Verde is playing in the World Cup for the first time, advancing to the knockout stages behind three straight draws, two of them clean sheets by Vozinha, the team’s 40-year-old keeper.
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And of course, one of the biggest draws to the desert is the off-season rates, which can mean a five-star luxury hotel like the Ritz Carlton for under $400 per night.
Noun
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Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Stalemates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemates. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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