What does impasse mean?
Word: Impasse
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Impasse means a situation in which people cannot agree or make any progress, so everything is stuck.
Synonyms: deadlock, standstill, stalemate, dead end
Antonyms: breakthrough
How do you spell impasse?
Syllables: im - passe
Tricky part: It ends in -sse: a double s followed by a silent e, because the word came from French.
Watch out for: impass, impase, impas
Memory tip: Impasse keeps the French look of words such as finesse: a double s, then a quiet e.
Impasse in a sentence
Example 1: The two captains reached an impasse over the batting order, so the coach stepped in.
Example 2: Our neighbours were at an impasse over who should fix the broken wall.
Example 3: Our group project hit an impasse until Farhan suggested a new idea.
Fun Fact
In French, impasse is an ordinary word for a dead-end street, and it still appears on street signs in France.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the given sentence?
The class debate reached an impasse, so our teacher asked both teams to take a short break and come back with a fresh sugestion.
a) 2
b) 3
c) 0
d) 1
Show answer
d) 1. Impasse is right; suggestion has a double g.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
SPMIESA 1234567
a) 4327156
b) 4371265
c) 4327165
d) 4237165
Show answer
c) 4327165. I is letter 4 and M is letter 3; then P, A, the two S's and E close the word.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their meanings:
1. impasse 2. detour 3. shortcut a. a point where no progress can be made b. a quicker way to get somewhere c. a longer way round when a road is closed
a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b. An impasse is a stop, a detour takes you the long way and a shortcut takes you the quick way.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) garage
b) boutique
c) restaurent
d) impasse
Show answer
c) restaurent. Restaurant keeps its French ending -ant.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The talks reached an impasse. What happened?
a) Neither side would give way.
b) Everyone agreed at once.
c) The talks were moved to a park.
d) The talks ended early for lunch.
Show answer
a) Neither side would give way.
2. Two friends are at an impasse over which film to watch. What would help them most?
a) a choice that both of them like
b) more time spent arguing
c) a louder voice from one of them
d) a longer list of complaints
Show answer
a) a choice that both of them like
