Definition

A situation where no progress can be made or no further action is possible, often used in games like chess when a player cannot make a legal move.

Example

The negotiations reached a stalemate, with neither side willing to compromise.

Conversation

I was playing chess with Mark, and we ended up in a stalemate.

Really? That must have been frustrating!

Yeah, it's tough when neither player can make a move.

Totally! A stalemate can be so anticlimactic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To cause a situation where no progress can be made, often in a game or negotiation, where neither side can win or move forward.

Example

The negotiations reached a stalemate, with both parties refusing to compromise.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you hear about the chess match last night?

Yeah, I heard it ended in a stalemate!

That's surprising; I thought someone would win.

Root Explanation

Stalemate is formed from "stale" (from Old French *estale*, meaning to stop or stand still) and "mate" (from Old French *mate*, meaning to checkmate in chess). The word describes a situation in chess where no further moves can be made, effectively stopping the game.

Memory Tip

Think of a game that has come to a complete stop ('stale') and where no further moves can be made ('mate'). This helps you remember that a stalemate is a situation where no progress can be made.

Visually Confused Words