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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impasse
The United States and China have been at a trade impasse since signing a 90-day tariff ceasefire in May.
—
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Part of the debate locally is the balance between hard dollars and human impact, a bit of a fiscal hawk versus bleeding heart impasse.
—Jennifer Sanders, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Much of the positive sentiment, according to board officials, came from developments in the U.S.-China trade impasse.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 May 2025
In response to an impasse over the issue at a club meeting, the footballers walked out, went down the street to a nearby restaurant, and founded Football-Club Bayern Munchen.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Part of the debate locally is the balance between hard dollars and human impact, a bit of a fiscal hawk versus bleeding heart impasse.
—Jennifer Sanders, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Much of the positive sentiment, according to board officials, came from developments in the U.S.-China trade impasse.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 May 2025
In response to an impasse over the issue at a club meeting, the footballers walked out, went down the street to a nearby restaurant, and founded Football-Club Bayern Munchen.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
-
All of this has affected how companies are handling Pride this month, causing a deafening halt compared to previous years.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
The Tatum injury sent Boston’s dynastic rise into a screeching halt.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Christopher Boyle of New York County Defender Services and one of Bernier’s lawyers said anecdotally there are many others on Rikers Island in a similar predicament.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
29 June 2025
-
Rodriguez discussed Rose's predicament in an interview on New York City's WFAN radio last week, and made a startling claim about baseball's all-time hits leader.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin to break the deadlock.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
-
History shows that conclaves have ranged from a matter of hours to nearly three years, shaped by intrigue, deadlock, and even popular revolt.—
Dan Cody,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
This poses a dilemma since water that is applied rolls down the sides of the container without soaking the soil.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
19 June 2025
-
Thus far, India has escaped this dilemma because successive U.S. presidential administrations have deliberately overlooked these dalliances.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
So unless the Wild change course and offer him a two- or three-year deal with a significantly higher AAV ($6 million?), the sides will remain in a stalemate.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
Recommended As more troops enter Los Angeles, dueling narratives over how to keep the peace In recent days, amid reports that Trump administration efforts to reach a deal with Iran on its enrichment program were reaching a stalemate, warnings of an Israeli attack proliferated.—
Shoshanna Solomon,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Stir together mayonnaise, pickle juice, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
-
Served with baby potatoes, bread, and mixed pickles, a fondue is the perfect way to warm up after a day on the slopes or hiking through the valley.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Now that hole is being filled with full service, amenitized buildings and a public park along the two mile canal.—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
Fuller was then released in February, and the Dolphins still have a major hole for starting-caliber cornerbacks ahead of nickel Kader Kohou after the draft.—
David Furones,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share