a stalemate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stalemate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which no progress can be made, often in the context of negotiations or games like chess. Example: "After hours of discussion, the two parties reached a stalemate, unable to agree on the terms of the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"There's a stalemate.

The New York Times

There's still a stalemate.

Independent

Instead it's a stalemate.

The Guardian

But there's a stalemate".

The New York Times

Even Korea was a stalemate.

The New York Times

It is a stalemate.

The New York Times

Trading ceased as a stalemate ensued.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The chronological order turned into a stalemate.

The Economist

"It is in large measure a stalemate".

The New York Times

Now the two are at a stalemate.

The New York Times - Sports

A stalemate in the parliament led Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In corporate settings, reserve the term for major strategic disagreements that prevent a project or merger from moving forward.

Common error

Avoid using "a stalemate" if you mean that one side has decisively lost. In chess and metaphor, a stalemate results in a draw where progress stops because no legal moves remain, whereas a checkmate is a definitive victory for one party. If the conflict ended with a winner, do not use stalemate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stalemate" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition (e.g., "at a stalemate") or the complement of a linking verb (e.g., "was a stalemate"). Ludwig AI examples show it is frequently paired with verbs of resulting or reaching, such as "ended in" or "reached".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a stalemate" is a highly effective linguistic tool for describing situations where progress has ground to a halt due to opposing forces of equal strength. According to Ludwig AI data, it is a staple of high-level discourse in news and historical documentation. Whether used literally in games or metaphorically in global politics, it conveys a sense of frozen conflict. It is structurally sound, widely understood and carries a tone of objective analysis, making it an essential term for writers describing complex disputes where a simple win-loss outcome is not present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a deadlock

suggests a more mechanical or structural blockage where neither side can move forward

a standstill

emphasizes the complete cessation of movement or activity in a situation

a standoff

focuses on the tense confrontation between two opposing forces who are unwilling to back down

an impasse

carries a more formal tone, often used in professional or diplomatic negotiations

a logjam

metaphorically refers to a specific blockage that prevents any further progress

a gridlock

commonly used in legislative or traffic contexts to describe a system-wide failure to move

a draw

refers to the result of a game or contest where neither side is the winner

a tie

describes an equal score or status, focusing on parity rather than the lack of progress

a bottleneck

identifies a specific point of congestion that slows down an entire process

a status quo

describes the current state of affairs, implying no change rather than a specific blockage

FAQs

How do I use "a stalemate" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an unproductive situation, such as: "The labor negotiations reached "a stalemate" after three days of talks."

What is the difference between "a stalemate" and "a deadlock"?

While often interchangeable, "a deadlock" often refers to a tie-breaker situation or a mechanical stop, whereas "a stalemate" specifically implies a draw resulting from the inability to move.

Can I use "an impasse" instead of "a stalemate"?

Yes, "an impasse" is an excellent, more formal alternative often used in diplomatic or high-level business writing.

What does it mean when a war is called "a stalemate"?

It means neither side is gaining ground or losing territory significantly, often resulting in a long-term "a standstill" without a clear winner.