dead-end

adjective

\ˈded-ˌend

Definition of dead-end

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : lacking opportunities especially for advancement a dead-end job

b : lacking an exit a dead-end street

2 : unruly dead-end kids

dead-end

verb

\ˈded-ˈend

Definition of dead-end (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to come to a dead end : terminate the road dead-ends at the lake the investigation dead-ended

dead end

noun

\ˈded-ˈend

Definition of dead end (Entry 3 of 3)

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

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

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Examples of dead-end in a Sentence

Noun

We came to a dead end and had to turn around. My career has hit a dead end.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Hundreds of clinical trials have failed, and some advances once thought to be promising have turned into dead ends. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "AARP invests $60M to fund research for cures to dementia and Alzheimer's," 25 June 2018 Whether Singapore will be remembered as the beginning of a success or the start of another dead end with the North Koreans will not be written for months, if not years. — Dan Balz, chicagotribune.com, "Summit's outcome rests on substance, not symbolism," 11 June 2018 The winding carverns have various levels, endlessly branch and have plenty of dead ends. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "World’s Largest Underwater Cave System Discovered in Mexico," 18 Jan. 2018 For weeks, the defenders were pushed back neighborhood by neighborhood into the dead end of the peninsula. — Washington Post, "In Yemen’s Aden, a generation chewed up and spit out by war," 12 May 2018 For weeks, the defenders were pushed back neighborhood by neighborhood into the dead end of the peninsula. — Fox News, "In Yemen's Aden, a generation chewed up and spit out by war," 11 May 2018 Whether Singapore will be remembered as the beginning of a success or the start of another dead end with the North Koreans will not be written for months, if not years. — Author: Dan Balz, Anchorage Daily News, "Analysis: Summit’s outcome rests on substance, not symbolism," 12 June 2018 These dark corners and dead ends make the ghost tours led by Craig McCormick, a local architect, each Halloween season particularly popular. — Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Beneath Indianapolis’ Bustling City Market Lies a Forgotten Underground Expanse," 9 May 2018 After Republicans hit a dead end trying to repeal the Obama health law, the Trump administration has pushed regulatory actions to loosen requirements and try to lower premiums for individuals and small businesses. — NBC News, "Trump unveils new health plan; Democrats call it 'junk insurance'," 19 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dead-end.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.