impasse

Noun

1. A road with no exit; a cul-de-sac.
2. A deadlock or stalemate situation in which no progress can be made.
   • “It seems to me the thing's an impasse. French expression,” I explained, “meaning that we're stymied good and proper with no hope of finding a formula.” - 1960, P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter XIV:
   • "Young man, this town is at a bit of an impasse. If you have any suggestion that might help, now would be the time to voice it." - 2010, Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over Manifest:
   • The agreement, which falls short of the sprawling changes championed by Democrats, is a significant step toward ending a yearslong impasse over gun reform legislation. - 2022 June 12, Emily Cochrane, Annie Karni,...