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
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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
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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 impasse Amid the impasse, global oil prices remain stubbornly high — a concern for Republicans entering this year’s midterm election season. —
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 The Giants and Dexter Lawrence are not an impasse. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026 Washington and Tehran are currently halfway through a two-week ceasefire, but negotiations to end the conflict are at an impasse. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2026 Democrats and Republicans need to reach an agreement on a spending package to end the funding impasse and fully pay all DHS workers, but haven't been able to do so. —Kate Perez, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impasse
Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 The Giants and Dexter Lawrence are not an impasse. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026 Washington and Tehran are currently halfway through a two-week ceasefire, but negotiations to end the conflict are at an impasse. —Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 14 Apr. 2026 Democrats and Republicans need to reach an agreement on a spending package to end the funding impasse and fully pay all DHS workers, but haven't been able to do so. —Kate Perez, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
Noun
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Yet the president couldn’t resist posting on Truth Social three times about his ballroom plans after a judge ordered a halt to all work above ground.— Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 17 Apr. 2026
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The ceasefire came after Lebanon insisted on a halt to Israel’s monthlong conflict with Hezbollah before further talks, though Lebanese President Joseph Aoun initially refused to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.— Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After realizing their predicament, the couple was forced to swim to a buoy about a mile from shore.— Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
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The inward-looking nature of the melancholy Dane — conflicted and cocooned in his thoughts, paralyzed by his own intelligence, while the world constantly reflects back to him his own psychological predicament — feels oddly suited for our solipsistic times.— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Ultimately, the twenty-one hours of negotiations ended in a deadlock, with the main sticking point being the extent to which Iran’s nuclear activity will be allowed to continue.— Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
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Geny Catamo came closest to breaking the deadlock towards the end of the first half, striking the post as the visitors edged the opening 45 minutes.— Jack Lang, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Sox faced an interesting dilemma in the 11th inning on Saturday.— LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
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That’s Duncan’s dilemma from the very beginning of this fitfully hilarious episode of The Audacity.— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Could Moreno get $4 billion without a resolution to the long-running ballpark stalemate in Anaheim?— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
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As the final pieces fall into place, the great 2026 redistricting war appears to be heading to a virtual stalemate that won’t prevent Democrats from being in the political driver’s seat to flip the House in the November election.— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And at least one pickle pope blessing people with herbs.— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
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Chicken wings brined in salt and pickle juice, as well as salads, will also appear on the menu.— Jenna Thompson April 10, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Round pegs found round holes all over the pitch.— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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To make your yard appealing to a wide variety of bees, install several bee houses with nesting holes of varying sizes.— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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