stalemate

/ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [stˈelmˌet] /ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [stˈelmˌet] /ˈstāl-ˌmāt How to pronounce stalemate (audio)/ (ame, mw)

stalemate — noun

  • stalematesingular
  • stalematesplural

1. a situation where two sides cannot defeat each other or force a decision, so the

1.名詞C1
釋義

a situation where two sides cannot defeat each other or force a decision, so the argument, contest, or plan stops moving forward.

例句

After six hours, the pay talks ended in stalemate.

pattern: end in stalemate

Neither party would cut taxes, so parliament reached a stalemate.

collocation: reach a stalemate

同義詞
  • deadlock

    very close in meaning; often used for talks, votes, and formal disputes

  • impasse

    more formal; stresses that no clear way forward is visible

  • standoff

    often suggests a tense pause, especially in military or police situations

反義詞
  • breakthrough

    the point when progress finally becomes possible again

  • agreement

    the result when both sides stop blocking each other

文法句型

reach a stalemate

break the stalemate

end in stalemate

用法筆記

Common in politics, labour talks, legal disputes, and other situations where both sides refuse to move first. Often follows verbs like 'reach', 'break', or 'end in'.

常見錯誤

❌The manager stalemate with the union.
✅The manager reached a stalemate with the union.
💡here 'stalemate' is a noun, so it usually follows verbs like 'reach' or 'break'.
❌They made a stalemate over the budget.
✅They reached a stalemate over the budget.
💡English normally uses 'reach' rather than 'make' with this noun.

2. in chess, a draw that happens when the player whose turn it is cannot move any p

2.名詞C2
釋義

in chess, a draw that happens when the player whose turn it is cannot move any piece, yet the king is still safe.

例句

Ryan saw the stalemate and stopped searching for a winning move.

pattern: recognize a stalemate

One more pawn move would have turned the endgame into stalemate.

collocation: turn the endgame into stalemate

同義詞
  • draw

    broader term for any game that ends without a winner

  • tie

    general sports word; not specific to this chess position

反義詞
  • checkmate

    a winning attack where the king is under threat and cannot escape

文法句型

force a stalemate

end in stalemate

escape with stalemate

用法筆記

Used only in chess. Distinguish from a general draw: stalemate happens because the player to move has no legal move while the king is not under attack.

常見錯誤

❌The king was in stalemate because it was attacked.
✅The king was in check, not stalemate.
💡stalemate only happens when the king is safe but no legal move is available.

stalemate — verb