impasse

[im-pas, im-pas]

noun

1. a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock.

   Synonyms: dead end, standoff, standstill, stalemate

2. a road or way that has no outlet; cul-de-sac.

impasse

/ ˈæmpɑːs, ɪmˈpɑːs, æmˈpɑːs, ˈɪmpɑːs /

noun

1. a situation in which progress is blocked; an insurmountable difficulty; stalemate; deadlock

Word History and Origins

Origin of impasse¹

1850–55; < French, equivalent to im- im- ² + -passe, stem of passer to pass

Word History and Origins

Origin of impasse¹

C19: from French; see _im- , _pass

Example Sentences

His reappointment comes as France faces political deadlock and a parliamentary impasse over a cost-cutting budget against a backdrop of climbing public debt.

Read more on Barron's

His reappointment comes as France faces political deadlock and a parliamentary impasse over a cost-cutting budget against a backdrop of climbing public debt.

Read more on Barron's

Still, some kind of resolution is likely to the immediate impasse, because the costs of doing otherwise would be great: Hundreds of billions in trade is at stake.

Read more on Barron's

It appears to suggest that, even if the negotiations reach an impasse, hostilities will not resume.

Read more on BBC

The Bureau of Labor Statistics wasn’t able to release the September jobs report on schedule last week amid the budget impasse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deadlock 
• dilemma 
• gridlock 
• predicament 
• standoff 
• standstill