1
as in halt
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
Relevance
2
as in predicament
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
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Recent Examples of impasse
At the same time, Hamas officials were in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials on how to overcome the impasse, according to a person in contact with Hamas leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details about the visit, which had not been publicized.
—
Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
After reaching an impasse in contract extension negotiations over the summer (Butler possesses a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26), the relationship between Butler and Miami has soured mightily.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
After a long slide toward irrelevance, though, the show is on its last fishnet leg, leaving her at an impasse.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Democrats piled on the Musk taunts in the midst of the impasse over government funding, which was solved just before the deadline on Friday.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impasse 
Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
After reaching an impasse in contract extension negotiations over the summer (Butler possesses a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26), the relationship between Butler and Miami has soured mightily.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
After a long slide toward irrelevance, though, the show is on its last fishnet leg, leaving her at an impasse.
—Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Democrats piled on the Musk taunts in the midst of the impasse over government funding, which was solved just before the deadline on Friday.
—Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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And when Trump caught wind that the Biden administration was moving quickly to auction off border wall materials, Texas put that to a halt.—
Sharyl Attkisson,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Jan. 2025
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Like so many Angelenos, Cheyenne Shannon’s routine came to a halt in the hours after the devastating Palisades Fire broke out on the morning of Jan. 7, followed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Willard didn’t envy Illinois coach Brad Underwood’s predicament against Maryland’s big men.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Jan. 2025
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Though bucks are known to get their antlers tangled up during fights on rare occasions, this predicament was particularly challenging — and called for very steady aim, according to wildlife officials.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Even visits by Vatican representatives to the island to press for the release of the protestors were unable to break the deadlock until the final days of the Biden administration.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN,
16 Jan. 2025
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Indonesia on Wednesday upheld a ban on iPhone 16 sales despite Apple’s $1 billion pledge to invest in the country after a negotiation deadlock, citing the company’s failure to meet domestic market requirements.—
AFP,
Fortune Asia,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Another possibility: Trump’s blueprint could drive inflation higher while also weakening the economy – an unusual tandem that would pose a vexing dilemma for the Fed.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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The Freaky Friday homeowner’s dilemma is, unfortunately, not uncommon for those who lost homes in the Palisades and Eaton Fires.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And that, Fleck says, is often what’s missing when couples are trying to find their way out of a stalemate.—
Aditi Shrikant,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2025
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Across most of the U.S., buyers and sellers are at somewhat of a stalemate, Divounguy says.—
Justin L. Mack,
Axios,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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While James Beard-finalist chef Pushkar Marathe grew up in India, and his Stage menu does play with lots of chutneys and pickle, his small dishes are inflected with all kinds of global flavors, such as Korean bbq ribs with gochujang sauce and kimchi aioli.—
John Oseid,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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For me, simple congee with pickles and pork floss was perfect to help with digestion after more than a week of decadent meals.—
Amber Gibson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But the concerns about how the state ended up in the budget hole to begin with, remains central to the blame game.—
Mikenzie Frost,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Jan. 2025
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The club’s all-time leading goalscorer left for Palmeiras in the offseason, leaving a drastic hole in the attack.—
Kyle Foley,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impasse
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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