stalemate

noun

ˈstāl-ˌmāt How to pronounce stalemate (audio)
Definition of stalematenext
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

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 stalemate Kim in recent years has halted all diplomacy and cooperation with South Korea and described the neighbor as a permanent enemy during a prolonged stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 The Gulf is entering a costly new era of accommodating Iran, regardless of whether Tehran and Washington break their stalemate. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 High fuel prices and an Iran war stalemate give Europe an incentive to try to help end the conflict. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026 After a first-half stalemate and three points aside in the opening 30 minutes, Joseph’s defense came out flying in the third quarter. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
  1. halt
  2. tie
  3. impasse
  4. draw
  5. deadlock
Noun
  • According to Puente, a computer failure led to the initial halt of six moving trains, including the two trains that subsequently collided.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • During the 2008 financial crisis, most of the construction at Martis Camp came to a virtual halt.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of halt
Noun
  • The Wednesday announcement by Sanrio’s Chinese subsidiary came just after French soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologized for remarks about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong that saw several Chinese sponsors cut ties with him.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • An organization with Republican ties has distributed fliers promoting a socialist candidate, an apparent effort to pull support away from Brown.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • The next week, Trout tried to end the impasse by passing along a memo from Citation.
    — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Under binding arbitration, an independent referee is brought in when negotiators hit an impasse.
    — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of impasse
Noun
  • With the draw, Inter Miami fell into third place behind the New England Revolution.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • His most recent appearance under Nuno was the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at home against Leeds United, on penalties after a 2-2 draw, in April.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw
Noun
  • The result could be another fragile coalition; an unlikely unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot; or a prolonged deadlock that sends Israelis back to the polls.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This meant that the negotiating parties had reached a deadlock beyond which further discussion would be futile.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of deadlock

Browse Nearby Words

stale
stalemate
stalemates
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Cite this Entry

“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stalemate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stalemate

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