impasses

noun

plural of impasse
1
as in halts
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 dilemmas
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 impasses Some of the money is frozen due to budgetary or legal impasses. — Caio Delcolli, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025 How long should these impasses between words, ideas, formal breakthroughs last, anyway, in any one spell of writing? — Dan Chiasson, The New York Review of Books, 22 Apr. 2026 Such impasses typically end when one party decides the political costs of keeping the government closed outweigh the concessions of opening it. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025 The second chapter intertwines misfortune and impasses. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 June 2026 Similar sticking points have led to impasses in the separate negotiation processes, now requiring a third party to assist with mediation and fact-finding. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025 YouTube has navigated similar impasses with other entertainment companies this year. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025 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 The Senate unanimously approved a resolution to withhold lawmakers’ pay during government shutdowns, aiming to encourage faster resolution of federal budget impasses after record-breaking closures. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasses
  1. halts
  2. dilemmas
  3. stalemates
  4. predicaments
  5. deadlocks
  6. pickles
  7. logjams
  8. holes
Noun
  • The automatic stay halts proceedings but doesn't compel creditors to undo pre-petition filings without operative effect.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Since prolonged production halts can cause permanent damage to oil wells, shutting them down is typically a last resort.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 June 2026
Definition of halts
Noun
  • UAVs can extend reach, generate mass, create dilemmas, and impose costs.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Instead of adding more junk to your drawers, these clever gadgets actually solve kitchen dilemmas we’re all faced with.
    — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
Definition of dilemmas
Noun
  • The legislation's passage represented a rare moment of bipartisan achievement in a Congress that has been marked by obstruction and a series of stalemates.
    — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of stalemates
Noun
  • Rather than bridging shortfalls, both Seattle and Washington now face more difficult fiscal predicaments, Joblon said.
    — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
  • The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of predicaments
Noun
  • Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2025
  • 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
Definition of deadlocks
Noun
  • Here, instead of the mustard that’s included in many classic potato salad recipes, sour cream, vinegar, and briny pickles team up to lend a lovely amount of tartness to cut through the richness of the potatoes, eggs, and mayo.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026
  • The tartness of capers, lemon juice, and pickles balances the rich flavors.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of pickles
Noun
  • Tracy said those will be issues the Red Sox will have to sort out, but noted that these sorts of logjams often have a way of working themselves out.
    — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 28 June 2026
  • After clearing logjams in the White House and House of Representatives, the legislation drew broad support in an election year where both parties are increasingly aware that voters have said they're fed up with the high cost of living.
    — Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 24 June 2026
Definition of logjams
Noun
  • The Chileans drilled holes allowing workers to insert a camera and pinpoint his location.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Plus, Hannah Vanbiber uncovers why World Cup players are cutting holes in their socks.
    — The Athletic, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of holes

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impasses
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Cite this Entry

“Impasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasses. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of impasses for Spanish Speakers

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