impasse
pronunciation
How to pronounce impasse in British English:
UK [ˈæmpɑ:s]
How to pronounce impasse in American English:
US [ˈɪmpæs]
-
- Noun:
- a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
- a street with only one way in or out
Word Origin
- impasse (n.)
- 1851, "blind alley," from French impasse "impassable road, blind alley, impasse," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + Middle French passe "a passing," from passer "to pass" (see pass (v.)). Supposedly coined by Voltaire as a euphemism for cul de sac. Figurative use also from 1851.
Example
- 1. The blame for this impasse falls mostly on republicans .
- 2. But there are ways round the impasse .
- 3. But the debt-ceiling impasse is only one instance .
- 4. The speech bypasses a bizarre political impasse .
- 5. However there is also a political impasse .