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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impasse
Congress remains at an impasse over plans first approved more than 40 years ago to hold all of the country's nuclear waste at a single permanent, underground federal facility, which has never been completed.
—
Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
The impasse raises the likelihood that the debt ceiling will be dealt with separately as part of a deal with the Democrats on wildfire aid later this year.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Mar. 2025
Don't be surprised if Beijing and Washington use this impasse as a bargaining chip in tariff talks.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
Now the Comcast impasse threatens to keep the White Sox off the air on the largest pay-TV provider in the Chicago market, a potentially devastating blow to the fans, the team and the new regional sports network.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
The impasse raises the likelihood that the debt ceiling will be dealt with separately as part of a deal with the Democrats on wildfire aid later this year.
—David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Mar. 2025
Don't be surprised if Beijing and Washington use this impasse as a bargaining chip in tariff talks.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
Now the Comcast impasse threatens to keep the White Sox off the air on the largest pay-TV provider in the Chicago market, a potentially devastating blow to the fans, the team and the new regional sports network.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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One unique thing Reno fit into it is a short sound around the 1:35 mark that sounds like a car screeching to a halt.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
8 Apr. 2025
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Rather than dwell on this possibility, or call for a halt to further investments until the federal funding picture resolves, supervisors instead took turns bidding Bergmann farewell and welcoming acting director Nadia Privara.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Why Canned Wine? Archer Roose Wines, co-owned by chief creative officer and actress Elizabeth Banks and CEO Marian Leitner-Waldman, started with this predicament in mind.—
Bryce Jones,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2025
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California and other states have spent much of the past decade trying to get out of this predicament by undoing single-family zoning laws and streamlining permitting for apartments, backyard cottages and other higher-density housing.—
Conor Dougherty,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The race is nonpartisan, but the incoming supervisor will break the 2-2 deadlock between the two Democrats and the two Republicans on the current Board of Supervisors.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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The ongoing deadlock raises the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in an already unstable Middle East, where an American aircraft carrier strike group is leading a U.S. military operation against the Houthi militants in Yemen.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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By the time France’s Nations League semi-final against Spain comes around in early June, Deschamps will have the usual array of squad composition and team selection dilemmas to contend with.—
Tom Williams,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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Mark Brewer, President and CEO of the Central Florida Foundation, views homelessness as a dilemma, not a problem solved with a single action.—
Jane Hursh,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Nottingham Forest has been one of the EPL's best teams this season, so the two playing to a stalemate shouldn't come as a surprise.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
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As beers are cracked and meatballs are thrown, the game slowly turns into a stalemate that’s irritatingly adept at withstanding external pressure to end prematurely.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The deal on the burgers – each comes with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, Smash Sauce, and ketchup on a toasted bun – is good in stores, online and through the Smashburger app.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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According to our readers, classics like the Chicken Sandwich Meal (extra pickles, please) and seasonal treats like the Peach Milkshake are always worth stopping for.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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One obstacle the Bengals face in their quest for postseason play, however, is the outbreak of injuries that started in spring training and have created a significant hole in their offense.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Apr. 2025
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One interesting depiction of the Last Supper was found above a German coat of arms, which depicted a goblet, a platter, and a round piece of bread with a hole in it, similar to a Jerusalem bagel.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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