stalemate

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
  2. noun drawing position in chess: any of a player's possible moves would place his king in check
  3. verb subject to a stalemate

Etymology

From stale + mate.

In classic literature

Synonyms

deadlock, dead end, impasse, standstill

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