Synonyms of stalemate

stalemate

noun

ˈstāl-ˌmāt 

1

as in halt

a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in

a new negotiator finally got both sides past the stalemate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• impasse
• deadlock
• gridlock
• standstill
• standoff
• predicament
• jam
• logjam
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• pickle
• problem
• quandary
• bottleneck
• bind
• quagmire
• hole
• plight
• morass
• corner
• dead end
• fix
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

2

as in tie

a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other

after playing chess for 16 hours, we ended the game in a stalemate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tie
• draw
• standoff
• deadlock
• impasse
• dead heat
• seesaw
• horse race
• toss-up
• photo finish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stalemate

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recent years has suspended virtually all cooperation and diplomacy with South Korea while declaring Seoul as his most hostile enemy during a stalemate in his larger nuclear negotiations with Washington. — ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026

But in a stalemate, the most awkward problems either get ignored or deferred. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

The most realistic outcome in Iran may be an unresolved stalemate. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026

The Liverpool head coach is expected to make plenty of changes after fatigue contributed to Saturday’s stalemate with Fulham in the Premier League. — James Pearce, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026