stalemate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'stalemate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or conflict in which neither side can win, or in which no progress can be made. Example: After months of negotiations, the two sides have reached a stalemate and it is uncertain how the dispute will be resolved.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The question about 2013 is whether that stalemate can be broken and to whose advantage.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the weeks after the latest stalemate, these fears seemed to be borne out by a gamekeeper seeking permission to protect the pheasants he breeds by "controlling" buzzards.

The Guardian

With little likelihood of that happening in the short term, the stalemate could drag on for months.

The Guardian

He might just have won over one or two new admirers by scoring the winner against Sampdoria on Tuesday, in a game that otherwise might easily have finished as a goalless stalemate between uninspired teams.

The Guardian - Sport

The clause is sufficiently ambiguous to leave doubts over how the stalemate will be resolved.

The Guardian - Sport

They have ground out a number of narrow wins since Christmas and haven't featured in a single stalemate in that time.

The Guardian - Sport

In the speech, which took place at the religious city of Mashhad, Khamenei dismissed claims by western officials that there are people in Iran who are opposed to a diplomatic solution to the current stalemate over the country's nuclear programme.

The Guardian

After more than two months of near stalemate, rebel groups have advanced into three government-held areas of central Aleppo, ahead of the ceasefire.

The Guardian

Given the accusations of complacency, Chelsea probably did not merit morethan a stalemate.

The Guardian - Sport

The stalemate gives me the opportunity to highlight an issue that continues to puzzle.

The Guardian - Sport

The home side had offered the more coherent threat, their menace built on the tigerish industry of Sandro and Joey Barton in central midfield, but the derby had been horribly scrappy on a scarred surface which suggested stalemate.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stalemate" to describe situations where progress is blocked and no party can gain an advantage. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "stalemate" is widely understood, consider more casual synonyms like "deadlock" or "standoff" in informal conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stalemate" is as a noun, referring to a situation where progress is blocked or no side can win. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing political negotiations, sports games, and military conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stalemate" is a versatile noun used to describe situations where progress is blocked, often in negotiations, games, or conflicts. It's grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for most contexts, simpler synonyms might be preferred in casual conversations. The term appears frequently in news and media, highlighting its relevance in describing current events. Ludwig's examples showcase the term's broad applicability and semantic richness, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadlock situation

Replaces "stalemate" with a more descriptive term highlighting the lack of progress.

impasse

A more formal synonym for "stalemate", suggesting a situation where no agreement can be reached.

standstill

Emphasizes the lack of movement or progress in a situation, similar to "stalemate".

gridlock

Implies a complete blockage or halt in progress, often used in political contexts.

political impasse

Emphasizes the lack of political progress in specific negotiations.

drawn game

Specifically used in the context of games or competitions ending without a winner.

tie

A simple term for a situation in which competitors have equal results.

no resolution

Focuses on the absence of a solution or conclusion to a problem or conflict.

Mexican standoff

Implies a confrontation where any aggressive move could be disastrous for all participants.

checkered flag

A more technical and rare alternative to "dead heat" in sports.

FAQs

How can I use "stalemate" in a sentence?

You can use "stalemate" to describe a situation where no progress can be made. For instance, "The negotiations reached a "deadlock situation" after several weeks of talks."

What's the difference between "stalemate" and "impasse"?

"Stalemate" and "impasse" are similar, but "stalemate" often implies a more balanced situation where neither side can advance, while "impasse" suggests a complete blockage in negotiations or progress.

What can I say instead of "stalemate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "standstill", "gridlock", or "deadlock situation" to describe a situation where no progress is being made.

Is "stalemate" formal or informal?

"Stalemate" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual settings, simpler words like "tie" might be more appropriate.