1
: a state of inaction or neutralization resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions : standstill
the deadlock was broken with a key compromise
2
: a tie score
deadlock
verb
Synonyms
Examples of deadlock in a Sentence
City councilors reached a deadlock over the law.
His goal broke a 3–3 deadlock.
Recent Examples on the Web
Russia's war on Ukraine has ground to a bloody stalemate in recent months, with neither side able to decisively break the deadlock.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former State Department official, warned that the administration must worry that continued deadlock will weaken U.S. influence in the Middle East and beyond.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2024
Casemiro broke the deadlock minutes after the half-hour mark, heading home from a Luke Shaw freekick.
—Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Johnson broke a 23-23 deadlock to make Chicago the largest American city to call for a cease-fire.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former State Department official, warned that the administration must worry that continued deadlock will weaken U.S. influence in the Middle East and beyond.
—Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2024
Casemiro broke the deadlock minutes after the half-hour mark, heading home from a Luke Shaw freekick.
—Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Johnson broke a 23-23 deadlock to make Chicago the largest American city to call for a cease-fire.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadlock
Dictionary Entries Near deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deadlock
noun
dead·lock
-ˌläk 
: a stopping of action because both sides in a struggle are equally powerful and neither will give in
deadlock
verb
Legal Definition
deadlock
noun
dead·lock
ˈded-ˌläk
: a state of inaction resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions: as
a
: the state of a jury unable to agree on a verdict see also allen charge
b
: impasse
c
: a state in which corporate directors are unable to perform their functions because of shareholder voting
deadlock
verb
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