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
Partisan politics have resulted in a monthslong legislative stalemate over the state budget that might send Michigan into a government shutdown.
—
Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Instead, a flood of money from both sides cancels out, producing stalemate rather than reform.
—John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Getty Images One of the marquee storylines of the 2025 offseason is the stalemate currently taking place between the Golden State Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
—Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The defensive stalemate carried into the second quarter, when the Sailors staged a drive deep into the Duxbury red zone.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Instead, a flood of money from both sides cancels out, producing stalemate rather than reform.
—John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Getty Images One of the marquee storylines of the 2025 offseason is the stalemate currently taking place between the Golden State Warriors and restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
—Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The defensive stalemate carried into the second quarter, when the Sailors staged a drive deep into the Duxbury red zone.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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But just as the journey was about to begin, COVID-19 forced everything to a halt.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
-
At Walt Disney World in Orlando free buses from the airport to its on-site hotels ground to a halt along with contactless room keys which came in the form of collectable wristbands.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Norman was a patrol officer, Cooper said, and his posts on social media have no ties to the department, although officials were aware of his massive following.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Sep. 2025
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Some analysts have questioned whether the slogans on the casings suggest ties to anti-fascist or left-leaning groups, or whether they were intended as references to internet culture.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have still not broken out of the impasse, spelling financial distress for schools and counties that rely particularly heavily on state funding.—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Big names in new places Just last season, the Colorado Avalanche reached an impasse with their leading scorer, star forward Mikko Rantanen, who was in the final year of his contract with the team.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Jay Cannon,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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Political stability, a favorable family-office regime, independent courts, and Mandarin fluency made Singapore a natural draw for China's super-rich.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ceasefire talks ended in deadlock in July.—
Emily Rose,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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On June 30, three months into the standoff, the Missouri Senate Insurance and Banking Committee called the two sides in for a hearing that broke months of deadlock and prompted new proposals from Anthem.—
Bram Sable-Smith,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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