stalemate

[steyl-meyt]

noun

1. Chess.,  a position of the pieces in which a player cannot move any piece except the king and cannot move the king without putting it in check.

2. any position or situation in which no action can be taken or progress made; deadlock.

   Talks between union and management resulted in a stalemate.

   Synonyms: standstill, standoff, impasse

verb (used with object)

stalemated, stalemating 

1. to subject to a stalemate.

2. to bring to a standstill.

verb (used without object)

stalemated, stalemating 

1. to be or result in a stalemate or standoff.

   Negotiations stalemated when new salary demands were introduced.

stalemate

/ ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt /

noun

1. a chess position in which any of a player's possible moves would place his king in check: in this position the game ends in a draw

2. a situation in which two opposing forces find that further action is impossible or futile; deadlock

verb

1. (tr) to subject to a stalemate

Other Word Forms

• unstalemated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalemate¹

1755–65; late Middle English stale stalemate (whence Anglo-French estale ) (apparently special use of stale ¹ ) + mate ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of stalemate¹

C18: from obsolete stale , from Old French estal _stall ¹ + _mate ²

Example Sentences

Among the risks that investors are shrugging off: a federal government shutdown that dragged into the weekend, with Washington lawmakers still in a stalemate.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Some economists worry the pain could spread to the broader economy if the stalemate stretches into weeks.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

As the government remains in a stalemate over the shutdown, D.C. bars are showing off a talent that doesn’t require a roll-call vote: turning deadlocks into drink deals.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

They did not produce enough clear chances in their 0-0 stalemate with Manchester United.

Read more on BBC

Much will depend on how the budget stalemate in Congress plays out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• delay 
• gridlock 
• impasse 
• standoff 
• standstill