Thesaurus results for IMPASSE

impasse

noun

ˈim-ˌpas

Definition of impasse

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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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 That impasse may not hold as younger generations become a force in Thai politics. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026 McCarthy said Monday that the club and the fourth-year cornerback are at an impasse as the two sides try to work out a new deal. — CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Dundee Township officials have reached a compromise to resolve an eight-month impasse on the 708 Mental Health Board that prevented $800,000 in grant money from being released to mental health providers. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Who better to help dissect the impasse than someone who was actively involved in NBA front-office negotiations for a living? — John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impasse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse

Noun

Iran however said a supertanker that had caught fire over the weekend had struck two naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, bringing it to a halt.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Upon arrival, Gideon slowly grows more suspicious of the theories as to why their 30-year friendship screeched to such an abrupt halt, but also of the reports of Gillian’s fatal accident.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Perhaps cognisant of the last time one of his fighters — fellow British heavyweight Fabio Wardley — was in a similar predicament during his bout against Dubois in May.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
While few family businesses are like the Lakers, the broad strokes of the Buss family's predicament are familiar, according to lawyers who spoke to CNBC.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of predicament

Noun

The jury on Wednesday handed Massachusetts Superior Court Judge William Sullivan its second deadlock notice, alerting the court that the nine women and three men could not reach a unanimous decision on Clancy’s fate.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Retired Massachusetts Superior Judge Jack Lu told Fox News Digital that the deadlock note doesn't necessarily signal a mistrial is likely, and said a verdict is still possible.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of deadlock

Noun

Getty Images The plight of the A’s in Oakland and the Rays in Tampa Bay has been a Major League Baseball dilemma for decades, spanning the careers of the last two commissioners, Rob Manfred and Bud Selig.

— Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Gaines and White talked at length at halftime of Friday’s game about their convictions on the trans in women’s sports dilemma.

— Patricia Babcock McGraw OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of dilemma

Noun

The following month, Marcus and Bakhitar made another strategic decision based on their network's advice, submitting applications to sell pickles at Erewhon and Whole Foods despite barely having any history as a business.

— Megan Sauer, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
The smashburger was the same as always, juicy and full of cheese, and the dill and pickle in the Caesar salad brought a bright and refreshing twist to the classic.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pickle

Noun

McIlroy surged into the top-10 on Saturday with a 7-under 63, powered by nine birdies, including three in his final four holes.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The researchers engineered an additional GaN layer that naturally creates a second sheet containing mobile holes, called a two-dimensional hole gas, or 2DHG.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of hole

Browse Nearby Words

impassable

impasse

impasses

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“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impasse

noun

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