noun

stalemate

stalemate, deadlock, impasse

The negotiations ended in a stalemate.

The negotiations ended in a stalemate.

The chess game resulted in a stalemate.

The chess game resulted in a stalemate.

((a stalemate)) a situation with no progress The negotiations ended in a stalemate.

Synonyms: deadlock, impasse, standstill; Antonyms: breakthrough, progress

From Old French 'estale' (place) + 'mat' (checkmate). Literally a 'stale mate'.

Imagine a chess game where no one can move. It's a 'stale' situation.

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