stalemates
Neither side wins
Stalemates is the plural of stalemate, a situation where neither side can advance or win.
The term comes from chess, where a player not in check has no legal move—the game ends in a draw.
More broadly, stalemates are deadlocks or impasses: The negotiations reached stalemates on several key issues.
As a verb, stalemates means brings to such a standstill.
Mutual blocking, no progress
- drawCreate with pencil
- impasseSituation without resolution
- kingMale crowned ruler
- checkmateInescapable capture position
endgame · position · zugzwang · perpetual · grandmaster · tournament · resignation · board
Mutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- talksSpeaks with others
diplomacy · mediation · compromise · concession · bargaining · dispute · arbitration · ceasefire
Complete mutual obstruction
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
partisan · bipartisan · veto · shutdown · Congress · parliament · coalition · legislation
Mutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
- ceasefireAgreed halt to fighting
DMZ · no-man's-land · siege · blockade · confrontation · escalation · de-escalation · proxy
deadlock
Mutual blocking, no progress
checkmate · endgame · position · zugzwang · perpetual · grandmaster · tournament · resignation · board · pieces
deadlock
Mutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
talks · diplomacy · mediation · compromise · concession · bargaining · dispute · arbitration · ceasefire · treaty
gridlock
Complete mutual obstruction
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
obstruction · partisan · bipartisan · veto · shutdown · Congress · parliament · coalition · legislation · polarization
deadlock
Mutual blocking, no progress
- impasseSituation without resolution
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
- entrenchmentFortified or fixed position
ceasefire · DMZ · no-man's-land · siege · blockade · confrontation · escalation · de-escalation · proxy · prolonged
stalematesadvances
Forward movements or progress
breakthroughs · progress · momentum · developments · headway
stalematesagreements
Formal mutual arrangements
settlements · compromises · accords · resolutions · deals
- military stalemateProlonged combat impasse