Thesaurus results for STALEMATE

stalemate

noun

ˈstāl-ˌmāt

Definition of stalemate

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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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

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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 comes after six months of a war launched by the US and Israel that has since reached a stalemate amid a lack of diplomatic resolution. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Navigating the stalemate with Iran could prove even more complex. — Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026 Washington has turned to pulling economic levers six months into a war on Iran that has ground to a stalemate militarily, with peace talks stalled and most traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz blocked. — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026 With gas prices high and the war with Iran still in a stalemate, the president summoned reporters to the White House this week for a much different reason. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stalemate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stalemate

Noun

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and the 17 states that sued California over its packaging law aimed at reducing plastic waste filed a request last week for a temporary halt to the rollout of the policy.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Far from transforming the country’s politics, however, this dominance has ground it to a halt.

— Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Samba has ties to the Brazilian Carnival tradition, so Anna picks out a floral fabric and designs a skirt with feather-style panels that will move around with the dancer.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
While Liang’s ties with the government have strengthened, his tech bets appear to be a convergence with Beijing’s priorities rather than state-directed, Wang noted.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of tie

Noun

But Wolfkiel still worries about how the CDC firings and the impasse over federal funding will affect brain injury research and prevention efforts in the long term.

— Lydia McFarlane, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
That impasse may not hold as younger generations become a force in Thai politics.

— Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of impasse

Noun

Despite being technically undefeated — two wins and two unspectacular draws, as Alice and Beard are quick to point out — the players seem more enthused for what their respective groups have done rather than the team’s collective achievement.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Serena is not set to play singles, but Venus, 46, received a wild card for that draw, too.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of draw

Noun

The trial-scheduling order entered by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama marked the latest milestone in a military prosecution beset by two decades of legal deadlock surrounding the four detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

— Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
After Keira Barry’s free kick attempt hit off the post, Girelli broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, finishing the rebound for the winner.

— Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of deadlock

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stale

stalemate

stalemates

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“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stalemate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of stalemate

noun

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