impasse

noun

im·​passe ˈim-ˌpas How to pronounce impasse (audio)
im-ˈpas
Synonyms of impasse
1
a
: a predicament affording no obvious escape
an impossible impasse in which accepting a pardon meant admitting guilt
b
: deadlock
Negotiations are at an impasse.
2
: an impassable road or way : cul-de-sac

Synonyms of impasse

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Examples of impasse in a Sentence

The players are poised to strike after Thursday's games because they believe, with good reason, that if no agreement is reached by the end of the post-season, the owners will declare an impasse … —Murray Chass, New York Times, 9 Aug. 1994
We seem to have been forced into an impasse. We need to understand why space-time singularities have the structures that they appear to have; but space-time singularities are regions where our understanding of physics has reached its limits. —Roger Penrose, The Emperor's New Mind, 1989
I think the civil rights movement in its early and middle years offered the best way out of America's racial impasse: in this society, race must not be a source of advantage or disadvantage for anyone. —Shelby Steele, Harper's, June 1988
An arbitrator was called in to break the impasse. She had reached an impasse in her career.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Despite this impasse, Real Madrid remains optimistic about securing the 19-year-old Ivory Coast star. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Oman’s efforts to end the Strait of Hormuz impasse center on a key section of international maritime law, one whose application is opposed by both Iran and the West — for different reasons. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 31 July 2026 The Unified Government and Eastside and its partners, the Arnold Development Group and Keystone Innovations, have hit an impasse over how much that prime real estate — which has been dormant since Indian Springs’ demolition — should sell for. — Sofi Zeman july 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 Dan Biederman, president of the 34th Street Partnership, says the sign came down because of what seems to be a real estate impasse. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for impasse

Word History

Etymology

French, from in- + passer to pass

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of impasse was in 1851

Rhymes for impasse

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Browse Nearby Words

impassable
impasse
impassibility
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Cite this Entry

“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impasse. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

impasse

noun
im·​passe ˈim-ˌpas How to pronounce impasse (audio)
im-ˈpas
: a situation from which it seems impossible to escape
especially : deadlock

Legal Definition

impasse

noun
im·​passe ˈim-ˌpas, im-ˈpas How to pronounce impasse (audio)
: a point in especially labor negotiations at which reaching an agreement is impossible because neither party is willing to compromise or change position

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