Synonyms of deadlock

deadlock

noun

ˈded-ˌläk 

as in halt

a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in

the jury sent a note to the judge that it was hopelessly stuck in a deadlock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• impasse
• stalemate
• gridlock
• standstill
• standoff
• jam
• logjam
• predicament
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• problem
• bottleneck
• bind
• pickle
• quandary
• plight
• hole
• dead end
• quagmire
• corner
• morass
• fix
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deadlock

The trial-scheduling order entered by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama marked the latest milestone in a military prosecution beset by two decades of legal deadlock surrounding the four detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. — Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

After Keira Barry’s free kick attempt hit off the post, Girelli broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, finishing the rebound for the winner. — Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

The library budget fight had simmered since a 3-3 deadlock at the July workshop, when Bruner also broke a tie, that time in favor of holding the library to flat funding, pending further review. — Noah Daly august 20, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026

Richter kept him on the pitch through the 90th minute, with the Union constantly threatening to break the deadlock. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026