Dictionary

impasse

noun im·passe \ˈim-ˌpas, im-ˈ\

: a situation in which no progress seems possible

Full Definition of IMPASSE

1
a :  a predicament affording no obvious escape
b :  deadlock
2
:  an impassable road or way :  cul-de-sac
ADVERTISEMENT

Examples of IMPASSE

  1. The players are poised to strike after Thursday's games because they believe, with good reason, that if no agreement is reached by the end of the post-season, the owners will declare an impasse … —Murray Chass, New York Times, 9 Aug. 1994

Origin of IMPASSE

French, from in- + passer to pass
First Known Use: 1851

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: impassible (adjective)Previous Word in the Dictionary: impassableAll Words Near: impasse
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears