Thesaurus results for DEADLOCK

deadlock

noun

ˈded-ˌläk

Definition of deadlock

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deadlock The French government, which is mired in political deadlock ahead of the country's presidential elections next spring, has yet to show protesters any meaningful concessions. — News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 Because Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the case, an eight-person bench will decide the case for the Supreme Court, leaving open the possibility of a rare 4-4 deadlock. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026 Though largely peaceful, the protests have added to an already monthlong political crisis following a deadlock of over 19 months that has blocked the election of a president and led to two early elections. — Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 Disputes within legislatures sometimes led to deadlocks, and many states opted to select senators in partisan primaries or a general election. — Christopher A. Cooper, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deadlock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadlock

Noun

Ideally, a reciprocal halt in long-range air and missile attacks could then be replicated across other sectors—maritime, commercial, and transportation—thus forming the basis of a broader aerial cease-fire.

— Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
President Iliana Yotova called for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Black Sea and a moratorium on drone attacks against commercial and civilian infrastructure, following the latest drone attacks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Still, after months of often contentious dialogue with government officials, local producers are grateful that both sides have found a way through the impasse.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
After more than a year of negotiations and a proposal from the CSU to increase salaries by 3%, the California Faculty Association — which represents about 29,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches — declared impasse in July.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of impasse

Noun

The Gulf is entering a costly new era of accommodating Iran, regardless of whether Tehran and Washington break their stalemate.

— Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
High fuel prices and an Iran war stalemate give Europe an incentive to try to help end the conflict.

— Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of stalemate

Browse Nearby Words

dead heats

deadlock

deadlocked

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“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadlock. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadlock

noun

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