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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Balogun’s fancy footwork broke a scoreless deadlock 45 minutes into the action, booting a left-footed shot through the goalie’s outstretched legs. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 And finally, in the 71st minute, the Netherlands has broken the scoreless deadlock after a wild run that ended with Cody Gakpo's score. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026 Football cannot resolve Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitutional deadlock. — Arminka Helic, Time, 30 June 2026 The trial ended in a deadlock when the jury voted 10-2 in favor of the defense. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for deadlock

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadlock

Noun

Before every project hits the factory floor, a computer analysis calculates every cut and sorts out unforeseen hitches that can bring traditional projects to a halt such as conflicts between plumbing lines and bearing walls, Glenn said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The pledge did not immediately satisfy hardline conservatives, who ground operations in the House to a halt last week.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Before the impasse could be resolved, the global pandemic shuttered Toho’s cinemas and froze most of its business, and the project went into stasis.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
Status quo continues until a new CBA is reached or the parties reach an impasse after good-faith bargaining.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of impasse

Noun

But the stalemate only lasted for two minutes, with De Ketelaere scoring again to restore Belgium’s lead.

— Lee Ying Shan,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 July 2026
In this climate, a wider conflict, with NATO – the enemy Putin has always railed against – could both explain Moscow’s slow slide into stalemate in Ukraine and help justify a wider war, or even full-scale mobilization inside Russia.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of deadlock

noun

Example Sentences

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