stalemate

American  

[steyl-meyt] / ˈsteɪlˌmeɪt /

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

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to subject to a stalemate

Other Word Forms

• unstalemated adjective

Etymology

Origin of stalemate

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

Example Sentences

The ultimatum came at a Pentagon meeting that ended in a stalemate.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ultimatum came at a Tuesday meeting at the Pentagon that ended in a stalemate, the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stalemate had pushed the prime minister last month to make an about-face on his pledge not to force the budget through parliament without a vote, a decision he called a "partial failure".

From Barron's

The stalemate at sea has allowed Ukraine's sea exports to continue, and a so-called grain corridor to remain operational.

From BBC

When funding stalemates occur in other countries, government activity generally continues with the existing levels of funding until new monies can be agreed upon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• delay
• gridlock
• impasse
• standoff
• standstill