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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
At the same time, Hamas officials were in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials on how to overcome the impasse, according to a person in contact with Hamas leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details about the visit, which had not been publicized.
—
Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
After reaching an impasse in contract extension negotiations over the summer (Butler possesses a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26), the relationship between Butler and Miami has soured mightily.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
After a long slide toward irrelevance, though, the show is on its last fishnet leg, leaving her at an impasse.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Democrats piled on the Musk taunts in the midst of the impasse over government funding, which was solved just before the deadline on Friday.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impasse 
Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
After reaching an impasse in contract extension negotiations over the summer (Butler possesses a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26), the relationship between Butler and Miami has soured mightily.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
After a long slide toward irrelevance, though, the show is on its last fishnet leg, leaving her at an impasse.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Democrats piled on the Musk taunts in the midst of the impasse over government funding, which was solved just before the deadline on Friday.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Related article As humanitarian officials warn people could die as a result of Trump’s foreign aid halt, Rubio issues new waiver CNN has reached out to USAID and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for comment.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
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The latter caused film and television production to grind to a virtual halt, which has since caused a contraction in the entertainment industry across all segments, from executives and creatives to third-party vendors like catering and pr firms and — ahem — news media covering the industry.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Willard didn’t envy Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s predicament against Maryland’s big men.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2025
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Though bucks are known to get their antlers tangled up during fights on rare occasions, this predicament was particularly challenging — and called for very steady aim, according to wildlife officials.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Even visits by Vatican representatives to the island to press for the release of the protestors were unable to break the deadlock until the final days of the Biden administration.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN,
16 Jan. 2025
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Indonesia on Wednesday upheld a ban on iPhone 16 sales despite Apple’s $1 billion pledge to invest in the country after a negotiation deadlock, citing the company’s failure to meet domestic market requirements.—
AFP,
Fortune Asia,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Freaky Friday homeowner’s dilemma is, unfortunately, not uncommon for those who lost homes in the Palisades and Eaton Fires.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
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Another possibility: Trump’s blueprint could drive inflation higher while also weakening the economy – an unusual tandem that would pose a vexing dilemma for the Fed.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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What's next: Talks aimed at ending that stalemate are expected to resume today.—
Torey Van Oot,
Axios,
28 Jan. 2025
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But compared to the stalemate between the Mets and Alonso that persisted from the end of the 2024 season into January, some movement with any club qualifies as major news.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While James Beard-finalist chef Pushkar Marathe grew up in India, and his Stage menu does play with lots of chutneys and pickle, his small dishes are inflected with all kinds of global flavors, such as Korean bbq ribs with gochujang sauce and kimchi aioli.—
John Oseid,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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For me, simple congee with pickles and pork floss was perfect to help with digestion after more than a week of decadent meals.—
Amber Gibson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But the concerns about how the state ended up in the budget hole to begin with, remains central to the blame game.—
Mikenzie Frost,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Jan. 2025
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Listen to this article Harris English finished with a flurry Friday afternoon in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open, carding birdies on his final three holes for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke lead over Andrew Novak heading into Saturday’s final round.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impasse
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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