stalemate

//ˈsteɪl.meɪt//
B2Frequency Level 12Neutral
Visual representation of stalemate

Noun

stalemateSingular
stalematesPlural
1

A situation in chess where a player cannot make any legal move and the game ends in a draw.

The game ended in a stalemate when neither player could make a legal move.

2

A situation in which neither side in a conflict, negotiation, or competition can make progress or gain an advantage; a deadlock.

The peace talks reached a stalemate after both sides refused to compromise.

Verb

stalematePresent tense
stalematedPast tense
stalematedPast participle
stalematingPresent participle
stalematesThird-person singular
1

To bring to a stalemate; to cause a deadlock or impasse.

The disagreement stalemated the negotiations.