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

Now, aged 30, Sterling faces a season in exile at Chelsea, the £30m remaining in wages on his contract a key factor in the stalemate.

From BBC

Their Stormont office said requests are considered on a "case-by-case basis", but the Alliance Party said the stalemate was "letting the whole community down".

From BBC

Calls for stronger gun regulations, improved mental health services, and combating misinformation continue to meet political stalemate and logistical hurdles.

From Salon

It meant England had to make do with only a second draw in 40 Tests since Stokes became captain in 2022, both on this ground, following the rain-affected stalemate with Australia in 2023.

From BBC

Frank van den Broek and British rider Jake Stewart merely looked at each other, with that momentary stalemate allowing Groves to go clear.

From BBC

Related Words

• delay 
• gridlock 
• impasse 
• standoff 
• standstill