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
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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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Recent Examples of stalemates
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
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemates
Noun
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Russia also invested significantly, but unsuccessfully, in trying to sway the Moldovan elections last weekend for the party that wanted closer ties with Moscow.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
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The barbecue sauce glaze ties everything together with a sweet-smoky finish.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Perhaps in an effort to keep a veteran like Myers fresh for when the games count, while also giving Mancini an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to contribute on the penalty kill, the club had Myers shortchanging after defensive-zone draws.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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To the east, mountains climb steeply to the Divide; to the south and west lies a big sagebrush plateau; and to the north, gently rolling foothills run to the horizon, with sagebrush tall er than a man’s head in the draws.—
Robert Merchant,
Outdoor Life,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemates. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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