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 The move came two days before the fiscal year was set to begin, after lawmakers' battle over the amount of spending led to a stalemate that required a special session in May to settle. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The war has settled into a deadly stalemate since a 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive failed to break Russian defensive lines. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 The announcement stands in stark contrast with the situation across the Bay, where talks between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Oakland and hundreds of other abuse victims remain mired in a protracted and increasingly bitter stalemate. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 In this climate, a wider conflict, with NATO – the enemy Putin has always railed against – could both explain Moscow’s slow slide into stalemate in Ukraine and help justify a wider war, or even full-scale mobilization inside Russia. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
  1. halt
  2. tie
  3. impasse
  4. draw
  5. deadlock
Noun
  • Gulf primary bond issuance came to an abrupt halt in the wake of the conflict, with corporate and sovereign bond yields jumping as geopolitical tensions escalated.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Wrangling my emotions became the difference between sputtering to a halt and moving forward.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of halt
Noun
  • Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The former donned a long black coat over a matching shirt and tie, dark wash jeans and dress shoes, while the latter rocked a white tank top with light wash jeans and olive green boots.
    — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • The conflicts, including a marathon 15-day impasse with Disney, stemmed from YouTube TV‘s steady growth into a dominant pay-TV operator just nine years after its debut.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • Speaker Mike Johnson is meeting with the president today amid the legislative impasse.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Definition of impasse
Noun
  • After defeating Panama 1-0 in their first World Cup group-stage game, Ghana played to a scoreless draw with England before losing 2-1 to Croatia.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
  • Cape Verde made history on Friday, June 26, after playing Saudi Arabia to a 0-0 draw at Houston Stadium.
    — Jaclyn Hendricks, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of draw
Noun
  • Balogun’s fancy footwork broke a scoreless deadlock 45 minutes into the action, booting a left-footed shot through the goalie’s outstretched legs.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • And finally, in the 71st minute, the Netherlands has broken the scoreless deadlock after a wild run that ended with Cody Gakpo's score.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stalemate

Nglish: Translation of stalemate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stalemate

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