Impasse Meaning
/ˈæmpɑːs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA road with no exit; a cul-de-sac.
nounA deadlock or stalemate situation in which no progress can be made.
Sentence Examples
We had our priorities, they had their preferences, and we came to an impasse.
They have reached an impasse.
Here contemporary particle physics is pretty much at an impasse.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The two sides in the dispute reached a ____ after hours of failed negotiation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The labor negotiations reached an ____, with neither side willing to make any more concessions.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. French im- French passe French impassebor. English impasse Borrowed from French impasse.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"“It seems to me the thing's an impasse. French expression,” I explained, “meaning that we're stymied good and proper with no hope of finding a formula.”"
— 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter XIV:
""Young man, this town is at a bit of an impasse. If you have any suggestion that might help, now would be the time to voice it.""
— 2010, Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over Manifest:
"The agreement, which falls short of the sprawling changes championed by Democrats, is a significant step toward ending a yearslong impasse over gun reform legislation."
— 2022 June 12, Emily Cochrane, Annie Karni, “Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal on Gun Safety”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The two sides in the dispute reached a ____ after hours of failed negotiation.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The labor negotiations reached an ____, with neither side willing to make any more concessions.