sticking point

noun

: an item (as in negotiations) resulting or likely to result in an impasse

Examples of sticking point in a Sentence

The length of the contract has become a sticking point in the negotiations.
Recent Examples on the Web There’s going to be several major sticking points on the table, many that are near-identical to those that dominated the lengthy and fraught talks between SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP in the U.S. last year, not least secondary payments and the hot-button topic of AI. Alex Ritman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2024 Netflix’s small number of ad-tier subscribers was reportedly a sticking point with marketers during last year’s upfront dealmaking with Netflix. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sticking point 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sticking point.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sticking point was in 1732

Dictionary Entries Near sticking point

Cite this Entry

“Sticking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sticking%20point. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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