1
as in halts
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 ties
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 stalemates
Another reason is that the federal government is now viewed by many as so routinely dysfunctional that budget stalemates are seen as just one more example of a broader breakdown.
—
Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The stalemates were the latest in the finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans over who was responsible for the prolonged shutdown.
—Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Netanyahu once shunned long wars and ground operations, aware of the cost and political capital that resulted in indecisive conclusions or stalemates.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Susan Page, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
The stalemates were the latest in the finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans over who was responsible for the prolonged shutdown.
—Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Netanyahu once shunned long wars and ground operations, aware of the cost and political capital that resulted in indecisive conclusions or stalemates.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemates
Noun
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Former leaders warn that the loss of institutional knowledge, combined with halts to the incoming pipeline of public health workers, may lead to a long-term crisis.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the May 5 Democratic primary election, which pits a progressive newcomer and a longtime political gadfly against an incumbent with strong ties to Indy Democrats, could act as a proxy for voters' feelings about the party establishment.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
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Sean McGinley’s sound design ties it all together with atmospheric cues that bridge the eras as do Jamie Godwin’s colorfully gorgeous projection designs.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While controllers may not be caught in the latest political game of chicken, proactively protecting these federal employees from paycheck lapses would prevent additional airport chaos during future funding impasses.—
Jackson Shedelbower,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
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The problems during the latest shutdown are renewing attention to ways to prevent airport security operations from being slowed during political impasses, including allowing more airports to outsource security screening while maintaining TSA oversight.—
John Seewer,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ozur said cash flow and portfolio diversification are stronger draws for clients to invest in real estate.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
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The sample, which can be collected through blood draws or buccal swabs, must then be sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation so that it can be analyzed and entered into a national law enforcement database known as the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for reform of the Security Council's permanent members in his annual statement on the anniversary of the United Nations charter, arguing that the current establishment excludes key global voices and suffers from too many deadlocks.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemates. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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