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
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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
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Recent Examples of stalemate
Leverkusen have not quite surrendered their title yet, but the stalemate Bayern were able to grind out on Saturday preserved an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
But in North Carolina, things have been at a stalemate.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
As the stalemate continued, the city filed a lawsuit against hotel ownership seeking $5 million in damages, ultimately leading to a settlement in November that cleared the way for the building’s demise.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025
Some temporary stalemates are fully resolved over time—consider Germany, which reunified in 1990, four decades after its division.
—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
But in North Carolina, things have been at a stalemate.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
As the stalemate continued, the city filed a lawsuit against hotel ownership seeking $5 million in damages, ultimately leading to a settlement in November that cleared the way for the building’s demise.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025
Some temporary stalemates are fully resolved over time—consider Germany, which reunified in 1990, four decades after its division.
—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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Rather than dwell on this possibility, or call for a halt to further investments until the federal funding picture resolves, supervisors instead took turns bidding Bergmann farewell and welcoming acting director Nadia Privara.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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More than 1,000 clinical trials have come to a halt across the country and world, ranging from cardiovascular disease treatment to HIV prevention, to childhood and adult cancer treatment.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Last November, Xi went on a state visit to Brazil, which was meant to strengthen ties between the two countries.—
Rosa de Acosta,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Both co-directors emphasized the fact that while the fund is based in Paris, its focus will be pan-European, with Lebret noting her strong ties with producers in territories such as Eastern Europe and the Baltics as well as France.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Key members of Mayor Adams’ staff, including Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, ultimately helped finalize the deal after union leaders and the city’s Office of Labor Relations reached an impasse over pay and demands that sergeants start working 12-hour tours.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2025
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To break the impasse, the Speaker floated creating a conference committee with the Senate to hash out their differences, or adding an amendment to the budget resolution — two ideas that would throw a wrench into GOP leadership’s ambitious timeline to get a package to Trump’s desk.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But the team failed to capitalize on freshman Laurel Gonzalez’s ability to control 11 draws, which contributed to a 17-10 advantage on draws.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2025
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Switzerland’s neutral politics, stable economy, strong currency and reliable legal system are all a draw.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The race is nonpartisan, but the incoming supervisor will break the 2-2 deadlock between the two Democrats and the two Republicans on the current Board of Supervisors.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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The ongoing deadlock raises the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in an already unstable Middle East, where an American aircraft carrier strike group is leading a U.S. military operation against the Houthi militants in Yemen.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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