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
Leverkusen have not quite surrendered their title yet, but the stalemate Bayern were able to grind out on Saturday preserved an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
But in North Carolina, things have been at a stalemate.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
As the stalemate continued, the city filed a lawsuit against hotel ownership seeking $5 million in damages, ultimately leading to a settlement in November that cleared the way for the building’s demise.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025
Some temporary stalemates are fully resolved over time—consider Germany, which reunified in 1990, four decades after its division.
—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
But in North Carolina, things have been at a stalemate.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2025
As the stalemate continued, the city filed a lawsuit against hotel ownership seeking $5 million in damages, ultimately leading to a settlement in November that cleared the way for the building’s demise.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 16 Mar. 2025
Some temporary stalemates are fully resolved over time—consider Germany, which reunified in 1990, four decades after its division.
—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate
Noun
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Rather than dwell on this possibility, or call for a halt to further investments until the federal funding picture resolves, supervisors instead took turns bidding Bergmann farewell and welcoming acting director Nadia Privara.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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More than 1,000 clinical trials have come to a halt across the country and world, ranging from cardiovascular disease treatment to HIV prevention, to childhood and adult cancer treatment.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Looking under the hood, the analyst said the company’s work gives it minimal exposure to equity-sensitive businesses and a weaker tie to interest rates.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
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See Christian Bale as Frankenstein and Jessie Buckley as The Bride in First Look at Maggie Gyllenhaal's New Film Letting the tie be the center of attention for her dark-colored suit, the Dark Knight alum went with minimal makeup and a dark red lip that matched her manicure.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The impasse raises the likelihood that the debt ceiling will be dealt with separately as part of a deal with the Democrats on wildfire aid later this year.—
David Sivak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Mar. 2025
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Don't be surprised if Beijing and Washington use this impasse as a bargaining chip in tariff talks.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The last two times these clubs have matched up, the result has ended in a draw.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
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Van Nistelrooy’s first three games brought a defeat, a victory and a draw; his fourth, on December 14, was a visit to Newcastle, who were navel-gazing after a damaging 4-2 defeat at Brentford.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The race is nonpartisan, but the incoming supervisor will break the 2-2 deadlock between the two Democrats and the two Republicans on the current Board of Supervisors.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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The ongoing deadlock raises the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in an already unstable Middle East, where an American aircraft carrier strike group is leading a U.S. military operation against the Houthi militants in Yemen.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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