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
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the 2019 Paris talks had broken years of stalemate and relaunched the peace process.
—
Anna Batta, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
The tiny Finnish Army—utilizing soldiers on skis and bikes—held the Russians to a three-month stalemate.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Then the game froze up, with the teams playing at a stalemate going into the third period.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
Coming off the most masterful performance of his career, Skubal kept the game at a stalemate for a while.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Anna Batta, The Conversation, 2 June 2025
The tiny Finnish Army—utilizing soldiers on skis and bikes—held the Russians to a three-month stalemate.
—Patrick Sauer, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Then the game froze up, with the teams playing at a stalemate going into the third period.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2025
Coming off the most masterful performance of his career, Skubal kept the game at a stalemate for a while.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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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
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But Iran's broader drift from West to East dates much further, beginning with the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled a monarchy with close ties to the U.S. and Europe.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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Marten, 38, grew up in a wealthy, aristocratic family with ties to the royal family.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
Noun
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Negotiations to secure a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seem to have hit an impasse amid hopes from top mediators, including President Donald Trump’s Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, that a deal can be reached soon.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
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The 1,300-member Judicial Professional Employees Union, which represents probation officers, information technology analysts, assistant clerks, counselors and other support staff, announced an impasse July 2.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Jordan Kellogg,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
24 July 2025
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The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Steven Martinez,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
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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
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But even his involvement hasn't broken the deadlock.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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