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)

, stale·mat·ed, stale·mat·ing.

1. to subject to a stalemate.
2. to bring to a standstill.

verb (used without object)

, stale·mat·ed, stale·mat·ing.

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 Words From

• un·stalemated 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

But in 2023 neither side made any major gains - with the conflict largely sliding into a stalemate.

From BBC

It came as Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure as the sides appear to have reached a stalemate on the battlefield.

From BBC

It would take Robinson running wide open down the seam to break through the stalemate, as Maiava floated a touch pass to the wideout, who ran 49 yards untouched into the end zone.

From Los Angeles Times

A second successive stalemate between these sides means Turkey stay top of Group B4 with 11 points, while Wales are in second place on nine points and Iceland third on seven.

From BBC

But another source familiar with the process told me: "As soon as the election was out of the way we went back into the same old stalemate."

From BBC

Related Words

• delay
• gridlock
• impasse
• standoff
• standstill