Word
stalemate
Phoneticsstale·mate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsteɪɫˌmeɪt/
UK/stˈeɪlmeɪt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a situation where neither side in an argument or competition can win or make progress. It is like a tie where everyone is stuck and nothing more can happen.
n. a situation in which further action or progress by opposing parties seems impossible. In chess, it refers specifically to a position where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal move.
Examples
“The peace talks ended in a stalemate.”
“After weeks of intense negotiations, the union and the management reached a stalemate over the proposed salary increases.”
“The geopolitical conflict has devolved into a bitter stalemate, with both nations unwilling to concede territory yet lacking the military resources to achieve a decisive victory.”
Examples
simple
“The peace talks ended in a stalemate.”
contextual
“After weeks of intense negotiations, the union and the management reached a stalemate over the proposed salary increases.”
complex
“The geopolitical conflict has devolved into a bitter stalemate, with both nations unwilling to concede territory yet lacking the military resources to achieve a decisive victory.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'reach', 'end in', or 'break'.
Real-World Examples
“Walt tells host Steve Clemons that the war is now in a “hurting stalemate” where “neither side really wants to escalate; they’re just waiting for the other side to crack”.” “Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, also visited Tehran earlier in the week in a bid to “end the stalemate” in the conflict, with Islamabad reporting “significant progress” in those talks.” Etymology
From stale + mate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/stalemate