logjam -
A situation where progress is halted due to a buildup of problems, delays, or obstacles.
The political negotiations reached a logjam when neither side was willing to compromise.
noun
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impasse -
A situation where no progress is possible due to disagreement or a deadlock.
The peace talks reached an impasse when neither side was willing to compromise.
verb
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restrain -
To physically or metaphorically prevent someone or something from moving, acting, or progressing.
The police officer had to restrain the crowd to prevent further chaos during the protest.
noun
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backlog -
A quantity of work that should have been done already, but has not yet been done
When Bill got back from his vacation, there was such a backlog of work to catch up with, that he had to work until 10pm every night for a week.
verb
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linger -
To stay in a place longer than necessary, typically because of a reluctance to leave
The waiter and waitress staff needed to head home, but they first had to wait for the lingering customers to leave.
noun
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straggler -
A person or animal that is last in a group to do something or the last to get to or leave a place
While the other runners were far ahead of him, the straggler struggled at the back of the line.
noun
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restraint -
The action of preventing or controlling someone or something or oneself from moving, acting, or progressing
There were many things that bothered her, but she decided to exercize restraint, and not spill out all her emotions at once.
verb
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defuse -
To reduce the tension or danger in a difficult situation.
The mediator worked hard to defuse the conflict and tension between the two sides that were trying to negotiate an agreement.
adjective
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interminable -
Endless (often used hyperbolically)
Victor dreaded going to the DMV, knowing he would spend an interminable amount of time there.
noun
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sloth -
Reluctance to work or make an effort; laziness
Reed spent the whole day living in sloth, never even leaving the couch.
noun
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limbo -
An uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state or condition
Because Ian had so much trouble making decisions, he often felt stuck in limbo, unsure of which direction his decisions would be taking him.
noun
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impediment -
Something that makes progress or movement difficult or impossible
Helen Keller lost her sight and hearing when she was only19 months old, but she overcame these impediments and went to college at Radcliffe and became a great author and speaker.
