dead-end

1 of 3

adjective

ˈded-ˌend 

1

a

: lacking opportunities especially for advancement

a dead-end job

b

: lacking an exit

a dead-end street

2

: unruly

dead-end kids

dead-endedness

ˌded-ˈen-dəd-nəs 

noun

dead-end

2 of 3

verb

ˈded-ˈend 

dead-ended; dead-ending; dead-ends

intransitive verb

: to come to a dead end : terminate

the road dead-ends at the lake

the investigation dead-ended

dead end

3 of 3

noun

ˈded-ˈend 

1

: an end (as of a street) without an exit

2

: a position, situation, or course of action that leads to nothing further

Synonyms of dead-end

Verb

• end
• stop
• halt
• conclude
• expire
• cease

Examples of dead-end in a Sentence

Verb

after several fruitless years, the research seems to have simply dead-ended

Noun

We came to a dead end and had to turn around.

My career has hit a dead end.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The trail led up Eastern Street to a dead-end on Venice Place, where police found that the driver was wearing a ski mask, Murgo said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2026

Animal control officers guided the zebra onto a dead-end street to move it off public roads, Ingram said. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

Verb

The trail hits a dead-end here, sending you back toward the entrance, but the zenlike peace of the valley will stick with you for a while. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

In physics, that almost always signifies a dead-end. —Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Great trivia questions also have a bit of misdirection, leading you down a logical path that’s actually a dead end. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Raising property taxes is the only increase the city could authorize without Albany, but without Menin's backing, sources say that plan is also hitting a dead end. —Aziza Shuler, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1940, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dead-end

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• boyfriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend

Kids Definition

dead-end

1 of 2 adjective

ˌded-ˌend

1

a

: having no opportunities for advancement

a dead-end job

b

: lacking an exit

dead-end street

2

: unruly

dead-end kids

dead end

2 of 2 noun

: an end (as of a street) without an exit