ˈimˌpas, -paa(ə)s, -pais, -pȧs also imˈp- or ˈamˌp- or amˈp- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from in- in- (I) + -passe (from passer to pass — more at pass
1. : an impassable road or way : blind alley , cul-de-sac
2.
a. : a predicament affording no obvious escape
placed himself in an impossible impasse by at one and the same time attacking the heads of the party and recognizing its supreme authority — Times Literary Supplement
b. : deadlock
negotiations between the two parties had reached an impasse since neither side would compromise in any way