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
Although talks had reached an impasse, Antonio was optimistic there would eventually be a breakthrough.
—
Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 27 June 2025
One of Willy’s favorite things to do to his characters was to leave them in a conflicted, confused, ambivalent moral impasse about race.
—Benjamin Hale
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Tensions in the region have escalated in recent days, as talks between the U.S. and Iran have reached an impasse.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
The impasse between the two economic superpowers — whose trade relationship totaled nearly $600 billion in 2024 — is weighing on Trump’s broader tariff regime, which is already having a real-world impact.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 27 June 2025
One of Willy’s favorite things to do to his characters was to leave them in a conflicted, confused, ambivalent moral impasse about race.
—Benjamin Hale
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Tensions in the region have escalated in recent days, as talks between the U.S. and Iran have reached an impasse.
—Amanda Castro
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
The impasse between the two economic superpowers — whose trade relationship totaled nearly $600 billion in 2024 — is weighing on Trump’s broader tariff regime, which is already having a real-world impact.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
-
Combine that with a high-interest-rate environment and uncertainty over peace in the Middle East, spending came to a halt.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
-
Over the years, the lighthouse was used as a museum and a coffee shop, but erosion from the sea forced that to come to a halt.—
Celia Fernandez,
CNBC,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
After announcing their predicament on social media on June 13, fans rallied support.—
Bahar Anooshahr,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
Luckily, Wayfair solved this predicament with its new apartment storefront, packed with storage solutions for living in a small space.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
The tension continued to build until Mexico released the pressure with a set piece goal to break the deadlock in the 77th minute.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
-
But even his involvement hasn't broken the deadlock.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
There are many reasons professional golfers have found themselves in need of a win, but few have encountered the dilemma Max Homa currently faces.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
The time to plant fall vegetable crops is just around the corner, which often poses a dilemma for gardeners.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
After Roman Anthony followed with a walk, Rob Refsnyder struck out but Trevor Story ended the stalemate with an RBI single to right.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
9 July 2025
-
Autos and oil and gas have been the top performers in Europe, with the sectors both up by around 1.8% — potentially on hopes that the talks will break the tariff stalemate between the world's largest economies, paving the way for more deals.—
Chloe Taylor,Jenni Reid,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Boca Raton resident Pam Duhamel, who is originally from London, purchases a can of Heinz baked beans, marmite (a yeast extract used as a flavoring), a bottle of Branston squeezable pickle, and a container of Coleman’s mustard.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
19 July 2025
-
Sweet pickles: Varieties like bread-and-butter pickles have sugar and vinegar in the brine, which help to preserve them.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
Secure burn barrels: If burning is permitted in your area, ensure that all burn barrels have a weighted metal cover, complete with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 July 2025
-
Fans can take photos among immersive tableaus from the show, play a larger than life version of Alamo Pong — corn hole but with giant beer cans — and toss rings at Rhinestein’s cowboy boot toss.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share