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

In today’s uneasy job market and stubborn inflation, escaping a dead-end job can feel impossible. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2025

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

Verb

The novel follows Julia Flang, a former gamer who lives with her uncle while working a series of dead-end jobs. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

The most promising of the three was Twin Oaks Court, a cluster of lots on a dead-end street sprouting from a frontage road along the I-280 freeway. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025

Noun

Despite three decades of dead ends, then-Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley said in June the department continues to receive and pursue leads year-round. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025

Yeomans’s team pursued them one by one, but each proved to be a dead end. —Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 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