impasse

Etymology

Borrowed from French impasse.

noun

  1. A road with no exit; a cul-de-sac.
  2. (figurative) A deadlock or stalemate situation in which no progress can be made.
    “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. 2022-06-12, Emily Cochrane, Annie Karni, “Senators Reach Bipartisan Deal on Gun Safety”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

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