PsychologyJuly 14, 2026
impasse
/ˈɪm.pæs/
Definition
A situation in which no progress is possible, especially during negotiations, because the parties involved cannot agree.
Etymology
The word comes from the French 'impasse', formed by the prefix 'im-' (not) and 'passer' (to pass). It entered English in the mid-19th century to describe a street with no exit or a metaphorical dead end.
In the news
The article mentions that Pennsylvania has faced long budget impasses in the past that strained public finances. These situations occur when lawmakers cannot reach a deal, leading to significant delays in funding.
Pa. adopts $50.8B budget that sends more money to poorest schools, skips difficult policy questions
Read the full article ↗The Latrobe Bulletin