Skip to main content

impassea situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɪmpæs/

Korean meaning: 진전이 불가능한 상황, 교착상태, 막다른 길

Korean pronunciation: 임-패스 (강세: 임)

Example Sentences

  • The divorce talks hit an impasse when they couldn't agree on who gets the cat.
  • Climate change negotiations often reach an impasse due to conflicting national interests.
  • My diet reached an impasse when I discovered chocolate cake in the fridge.

impasse

NOUN

//ˈɪmpæs//

a situation in which no progress is possible, especially because of disagreement; a deadlock

impasse concept
💡 Concept

Complete deadlock, no progress possible

impasse mnemonic english
🧠 Mnemonic

I'm stuck at this pass — total impasse!

impasse rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

When the class hits an impasse, no one can pass!

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈɪmpæs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈɪmpɑːs/

🌳Etymology

Prefixim--
Rootpasse

Origin

From French 'impasse', formed by the prefix 'im-' (not, in-) combined with 'passe' meaning 'passage' or 'pass'. The word literally means 'impassable' and was adopted into English in the 19th century to describe a deadlocked situation.

🎵Rhyme

classpassmassglass
class
pass
mass
glass

🔗Collocations

reach an impasse
break the impasse
political impasse
complete impasse
impasse in negotiations

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The divorce talks hit an impasse when they couldn't agree on who gets the cat.

Climate change negotiations often reach an impasse due to conflicting national interests.

😄 Fun example

My diet reached an impasse when I discovered chocolate cake in the fridge.

The peace talks have been at an impasse for months with no sign of progress.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

deadlockstalematestandstillgridlockbottleneck

Antonyms

progressbreakthroughadvancement

Related

obstaclebarrierconflictnegotiationcompromise

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.