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

Verb

• break off
• break up
• cease
• close
• conclude
• determine
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• end
• expire
• finish
• go
• halt
• lapse
• leave off
• let up
• pass
• quit
• stop
• terminate
• wind up
• wink (out)

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

Frustration over the 81-year-old POTUS’ halting and stumbling June 27 debate performance and his seeming inability to see a path to victory against Donald Trump was a dead-end has dissipated almost instantly. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 July 2024

The suspect was eventually arrested in Blair Hills on a dead-end street, according to KTLA. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024

Verb

Where any normal car would need a three-point turn (down yet another dead-end Camden side street, for instance), the taxi simply spins around and goes. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2023

Commissioner Andrew Brink said without a street connection to the east, the roundabout effectively will dead-end within the development. —Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2023

Noun

His daughter, Ave Williams, said local police and the FBI were diligent in trying to track down the overseas scammer and recover the money, but ran into multiple dead ends. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 7 July 2024

Universities could apply for a waiver on a case-by-case basis, but science lobbyists say that process would be cumbersome and likely a dead end. —science.org, 3 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1944, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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