impasse

noun

ˈim-ˌpas How to pronounce impasse (audio)
Definition of impassenext
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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 As an impasse between the union representing Fort Worth’s firefighters and the city over contract negotiations continues, Fort Worth City Council members have weighed in. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026 Only a small number of projects require involvement from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Bronin, the former ACHP chair, said, and fewer still end in an impasse. — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026 Tasjan had reached an impasse after releasing 2024’s excellent Stellar Evolution and snagging a Grammy nomination. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026 The Athletic reported in March that FSG had effectively shelved plans to buy a second club with Edwards left frustrated by the impasse. — James Pearce, New York Times, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for impasse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse
  1. halt
  2. predicament
  3. deadlock
  4. dilemma
  5. stalemate
  6. pickle
  7. hole
Noun
  • Instead, the Israeli leader’s silence was accompanied by a sharp increase in airstrikes over the weekend which killed 28 people in the enclave – the deadliest toll in weeks – even though the agreement specifically called for a halt to attacks.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The halt happened at the request of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of halt
Noun
  • Rasure also recommends being open about your financial predicament.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The dynamic of high inflation and a weak labor market is a predicament for the Federal Reserve, which can’t tackle both at the same time.
    — Laura McGann, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of predicament
Noun
  • The retrials resulted in a hung jury and a deadlock, respectively.
    — Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • The deadlock was broken within five minutes when striker Haley Hopkins pounced on a shot by teammate Lo’eau LaBonta that was deflected.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of deadlock
Noun
  • The audacious effort was designed to address the Voyagers’ constant dilemma—how to keep the probes running on an ever shrinking trickle of power.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats are facing a dilemma and Michigan’s Senate primary perfectly illustrated it.
    — Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Noun
  • The apparent stalemate comes as Israel still controls roughly 70% of Gaza, according to Palestinian officials and aid agencies.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Lala Kent is an excellent addition to the cast and was the only one trying to break the Janet-versus-Bookos stalemate.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of stalemate
Noun
  • New items this year include pickle pies, apple donut ham grinders, mango sticky rice refreshers and longanisa cheese curd lumpia.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Layer roll bottoms with ham, pickles, pork, and cheese; fold fillings to fit buns as needed.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pickle
Noun
  • Instead of slicing and dicing the zucchini, grate it on the large holes of a box grater or the grater attachment of a food processor.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Naughton said as students arrived for the meetup at the school’s blacktop, the district began filling in a hole on the blacktop from a tree that had been removed earlier in the summer.
    — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hole

Browse Nearby Words

impassable
impasse
impasses
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Cite this Entry

“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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