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
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
Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The stalemate between the Wu administration and the Krafts is now in the hands of a mediator, who will have the difficult job of figuring out a compromise that will probably not satisfy either side.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
He can be overwhelmed at times against the run but flashes the length to get into an opponent’s pads, lock out and stalemate at the point of attack, especially on the move.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
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Noun
In Geneva, negotiators will attempt to break the stalemate between countries that want a strong treaty limiting the total global production of plastic and a few plastic and petroleum producing nations that oppose such a cap.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
The stalemate between the Wu administration and the Krafts is now in the hands of a mediator, who will have the difficult job of figuring out a compromise that will probably not satisfy either side.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025
Verb
Sudan has an active war, while Yemen’s war is largely stalemated and Libyan forces remain armed.
—Chris Megerian, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
He can be overwhelmed at times against the run but flashes the length to get into an opponent’s pads, lock out and stalemate at the point of attack, especially on the move.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stalemate
Cite this Entry
“Stalemate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stalemate. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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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