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

• 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

What looks like dead-end research today could become a building block for tomorrow’s cure. —Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Balancing gripping espionage, office tensions and Herron’s deeply funny prose, the Slow Horses books focus on M15’s fictional Slough House unit: the career dead-end for screw-ups, ne’er-do-wells and the odd spy who’s just had a bit of bad luck. —Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

Verb

The proof-of-concept pilot episode captures the hilarious chaos of their daily lives, from dead-end service jobs and accidental laxative mishaps to the launch of their new podcast. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025

What looks like dead-end research today could become a building block for tomorrow’s cure. —Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Noun

Your public persona or professional trajectory could hit a dead end, nudging you to shake things up and go against the status quo. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2025

That doesn’t mean AI is a dead end. —Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

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

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