Stalemate

Quick meaning: Stalemate is a noun meaning (chess) The state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves, resulting in a draw.

Meaning

(chess) The state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves, resulting in a draw.

More Meanings

1. (figuratively, by extension) Any situation that has no obvious possible movement, but involves no personal loss.
2. Any kind of match in which neither contestant laid claim to victory; a draw.
3. (chess, transitive) To bring about a state in which the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves.
4. (transitive, figuratively) To bring about a stalemate, in which no advance in an argument is achieved.

Example Sentences

The North Korean nuclear issue, stalemated for the past three years, is now back in play again—not before time.

But with the war also still largely stalemated, other theatres of conflict have become more important. In Russia’s case, that includes the secret domain.

Indian military analysts said the situation was heading into a dangerous stalemate. Neither side wants to start a war. But neither side wants to back down either.

"Short of shooting us all in cold blood how's that going to help you, Mr. Carrados?" asked Larch, coming down to the commonplace of the situation. "It looks like stalemate to me and the sensible thing would be to make it a draw and all call off in good order. […]"

Word Forms

• stalemates
• stalemating
• stalemated

Synonyms for stalemate

Depending on context, synonyms include impasse, deadlock, standstill.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include deadlock, standstill, impasse, stand-off, treadmill, gridlock.

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