stale·mate
ˈstāl-ˌmāt 
1
: a drawing position in chess in which a player is not in checkmate but has no legal move to play
2
: a drawn contest : deadlock
also
: the state of being stalemated
stalemated; stalemating; stalemates
: to bring into a stalemate
Synonyms
Examples of stalemate in a Sentence
Noun
The budget debate ended in a stalemate.
The new agreement could break the stalemate.
The budget debate ended in stalemate.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
The timeline for the completion of negotiations is unclear, as both sides hope to end a stalemate that has severely hampered the production of key Boeing airplanes.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024
And to a growing number of critics, Israel appears to be simply stuck in clearing mode, increasing the risks for Israeli soldiers and Gazan civilians while cease-fire talks remain stalemated.
—Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stalemate 
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Noun
The resulting stalemate could very well lead to violence.
—Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
The timeline for the completion of negotiations is unclear, as both sides hope to end a stalemate that has severely hampered the production of key Boeing airplanes.
—Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
See The Masked Singer season 12's first performance, new costumes, and Ken Jeong losing his mind
06 of 06
Chess Piece
Will the celebrity under this mask have the audience screaming checkmate or stalemate?
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024
And to a growing number of critics, Israel appears to be simply stuck in clearing mode, increasing the risks for Israeli soldiers and Gazan civilians while cease-fire talks remain stalemated.
—Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 14 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for stalemate
Dictionary Entries Near stalemate
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalemate. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stalemate
1 of 2 noun
stale·mate
ˈstā(ə)l-ˌmāt
1
: a position in chess that results in a draw when the only piece to be moved is the king which cannot be moved without being exposed to attack by the other player's piece
2
: a drawn or undecided contest : deadlock
the two sides reached a stalemate in their negotiations
stalemate
2 of 2 verb
stalemated; stalemating
: to bring into a stalemate
the talks were stalemated over the issue of payment
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