1
as in halts
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 dilemmas
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
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Recent Examples of impasses
While controllers may not be caught in the latest political game of chicken, proactively protecting these federal employees from paycheck lapses would prevent additional airport chaos during future funding impasses.
—
Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The problems during the latest shutdown are renewing attention to ways to prevent airport security operations from being slowed during political impasses, including allowing more airports to outsource security screening while maintaining TSA oversight.
—John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Some of the money is frozen due to budgetary or legal impasses.
—Caio Delcolli, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025
Such impasses typically end when one party decides the political costs of keeping the government closed outweigh the concessions of opening it.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
YouTube has navigated similar impasses with other entertainment companies this year.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Similar sticking points have led to impasses in the separate negotiation processes, now requiring a third party to assist with mediation and fact-finding.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Another reason is that these funding impasses are often covered by the media.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The problems during the latest shutdown are renewing attention to ways to prevent airport security operations from being slowed during political impasses, including allowing more airports to outsource security screening while maintaining TSA oversight.
—John Seewer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Some of the money is frozen due to budgetary or legal impasses.
—Caio Delcolli, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025
Such impasses typically end when one party decides the political costs of keeping the government closed outweigh the concessions of opening it.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 11 Nov. 2025
YouTube has navigated similar impasses with other entertainment companies this year.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Similar sticking points have led to impasses in the separate negotiation processes, now requiring a third party to assist with mediation and fact-finding.
—Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Another reason is that these funding impasses are often covered by the media.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasses
Noun
-
Automotive industry analysts are forecasting that another microchip shortage could hit in the coming months, which could increase risks for production halts as costs skyrocket.—
Breana Noble,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Nerves of an energy crisis intensified over the weekend as oil producers in the Gulf announced further halts to production, with Bahrain’s national oil company declaring force majeure.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
During a week-long recuperation, the family confronts the excruciating moral dilemmas triggered by the crash.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Another reason is that the federal government is now viewed by many as so routinely dysfunctional that budget stalemates are seen as just one more example of a broader breakdown.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Winning from behind is not sustainable, and the predicaments in which Chelsea have found themselves this week point to other problems.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Rustin has slyly given her script a focus on women’s needs and feelings, a welcome departure for a genre that usually is more concerned about the men’s predicaments.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Having killed Downey, Amos cuts one of his deadlocks and puts it in Axel’s little red book.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
-
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for reform of the Security Council's permanent members in his annual statement on the anniversary of the United Nations charter, arguing that the current establishment excludes key global voices and suffers from too many deadlocks.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Also new is the Bacon Onion Jam Smashburger, a Black Angus beef burger with Nashville hot rub, white American cheese, pickles, bacon chipotle onion jam, shredded lettuce, El Gallo BBQ sauce and miso ranch served on a King’s Hawaiian bun.—
Richard Guzman,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The menu is tight, just roast chicken shiitake-ginger sauce and fried chicken with cucumber-radish pickles.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Removing the bridge will improve the flow of water on the Kankakee and lessen the need for crews to repeatedly remove logjams there.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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To avoid the logistical logjams that had been predicted, the rollout is being staggered.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Despite the par-5s making up just 12 of the 54 holes Åberg has played this week, more than 50 percent of his strokes gained against the field have come there.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Ludvig Aberg was the model of control at The Players Championship, in the lead for 36 consecutive holes and marching to what looked to be a methodical win on the TPC Sawgrass.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasses. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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