stalemate
4 synonyms for stalemate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use stalemate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
reach a stalemate
end in stalemate
break the stalemate
Etymology
Formed from "stale" (in an old sense meaning a fixed position) plus "mate," as in checkmate.
Full origin of stalemate →Frequently asked questions
What does “stalemate” mean?
The word “stalemate” means in chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw. In plain terms, a standstill where nobody can move forward, whether in chess or in any dispute.
How do you pronounce “stalemate”?
“Stalemate” is pronounced STAYL-mayt (/ˈsteɪlmeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stalemate” in a sentence?
Here is “stalemate” used in a sentence: “She accidentally forced a stalemate when she should have gone for checkmate.”
What part of speech is “stalemate”?
Depending on how it is used, “stalemate” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “stalemate” have?
“Stalemate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in chess, a position where the player to move has no legal move and is not in check, ending the game as a draw.
