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Definition of impasse

impasse

/ˈɪm.pæs/
im · passe
Plural:impasses
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impasse Lexical Profile

impasse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A situation, dispute, or negotiation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock.

Example

"Contract negotiations between the airline and the pilots' union have reached an impasse over retirement benefits."

2

A road, alley, or passage having no exit; a blind alley or cul-de-sac.

Example

"Turning down the narrow cobblestone street in the old quarter, we soon found ourselves in a quiet impasse."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

impartially
impartialness
impassable
impasse
impassion
impassioned
impassionedly

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-19th century from French impasse, coined by the philosopher Voltaire from the prefix im- ('not') and passer ('to pass') as a more refined replacement for the older French term cul-de-sac.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Impasse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/impasse
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