1
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
in their bitter custody battle, the divorcing couple are at a total impasse
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2
as in predicament
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the impossible impasse faced by those who opposed the war but did not want to seem disloyal to the troops
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
Context: The United States Maritime Alliance and International Longshoremen's Association agreed to a 62% pay rise over six years to end the strike, but negotiations have reached an impasse over semi-automated cranes.
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Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
When the three leaders gathered at Camp David in September 1978, the Egyptian and Israeli contingents were quickly at an impasse.
—Vivek Shankar, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
As the talks remain at an impasse and the current contract extension counts down, the union continues to apply public pressure to the ocean carriers and terminals.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2024
There is an impasse over a new contract with the 18-year-old, who is managing an ankle issue that has taken longer than expected to recover from.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impasse 
Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
When the three leaders gathered at Camp David in September 1978, the Egyptian and Israeli contingents were quickly at an impasse.
—Vivek Shankar, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
As the talks remain at an impasse and the current contract extension counts down, the union continues to apply public pressure to the ocean carriers and terminals.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2024
There is an impasse over a new contract with the 18-year-old, who is managing an ankle issue that has taken longer than expected to recover from.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Like so many Angelenos, Cheyenne Shannon’s routine came to a halt in the hours after the devastating Palisades Fire broke out on the morning of Jan. 7, followed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena.Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
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And when Trump caught wind that the Biden administration was moving quickly to auction off border wall materials, Texas put that to a halt.Sharyl Attkisson, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The confusion over Everton’s managerial situation has been unhelpful given the team’s predicament.Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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The widespread indifference to the Uyghurs’ predicament exposes double standards, not only among today’s prevailing political ideologies, but also within the international politics of human rights.Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Regional leaders like South Africa have sent envoys to try to broker a resolution to a political deadlock that has stymied trade and threatens further economic damage.Tavares Cebola, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
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Biden's decision to halt the merger followed a deadlock last month by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which could not agree on potential national security risks posed by the deal.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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See maps People donating to California wildfire victims face a dilemma: Leave a tip too?James Powel, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
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Consider this dilemma: someone has an old home in a high-price area and is considering adding a bathroom to the home.Cicely Jones, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And that, Fleck says, is often what’s missing when couples are trying to find their way out of a stalemate.Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2025
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Aoun’s election and Salam’s designation mark the end of a more than two-year long stalemate with a presidential vacuum and a cabinet operating in a day-to-day caretaker capacity.Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Leftover charcuterie is a bit of a challenge, with items as diverse as fig jam or Jamón Ibérico and a vast spread of about six categories (carbs, meat, cheese, spreads, pickles, and nuts).Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
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The restaurant serves chili on burgers — which come in single, double and triple patty options, each with tomatoes, pickles, onions and mustard.Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The pieces vary in size and shape; a few have small holes cut in them.Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 13 Jan. 2025
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Some holes can’t be filled, and no writer, no matter how skilled, can return their subject to anything truly resembling life.Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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