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
The conflict is at a stalemate with one side now likely to escalate further, Mattis said.
—
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
The effort to provide some relief comes as Congress struggles to find a compromise to end the stalemate.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
With pressure mounting this week to resolve the stalemate, the endgame appeared to emerge just before TSA workers were set to miss another paycheck.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Her family is among the approximately 61,000 essential TSA employees who are anxious to see how quickly they can be paid after a six-week congressional stalemate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security has forced them to work without pay.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
The effort to provide some relief comes as Congress struggles to find a compromise to end the stalemate.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026
With pressure mounting this week to resolve the stalemate, the endgame appeared to emerge just before TSA workers were set to miss another paycheck.
—Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Her family is among the approximately 61,000 essential TSA employees who are anxious to see how quickly they can be paid after a six-week congressional stalemate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security has forced them to work without pay.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
-
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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About 20% of the world’s oil supply travels through the narrow strait, and the recent halt in shipping impacts the wider economy, raising expectations of higher inflation.—
Alison Saldanha,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
De Moraes, who until recently was hailed as a hero by adversaries of the former president, has been under fire since January from both critics and allies of Bolsonaro over the justice’s ties to the bank, which have raised concerns over conflicts of interest.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
White tie first emerged in the earlier days of the Victorian Era (around 1840), ironically as a more minimalist counter to the more outré evening dress of the day.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate find themselves at a familiar impasse, bitterly divided over which approach to take.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The collapse of the deal leaves Congress, now on a two-week spring break, with no easy way out of the impasse that has put the Homeland Security Department into a shutdown since mid-February.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The results are in for the Maine Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, March 28, 2026.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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For many, the local bands are a main draw.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The duel didn’t disappoint, as Langford and the Eagles broke a 2-2 deadlock, punching across a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to emerge with a 4-2 triumph over the Falcons.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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As a result of quick passing combinations at the top of the box, Linda Ullmark found Kiki van Zanten to break the deadlock with a left-footed finish in the 43rd minute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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