1
: a state of inaction or neutralization resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions : standstill
the deadlock was broken with a key compromise
2
: a tie score
deadlock
verb
Examples of deadlock in a Sentence
City councilors reached a deadlock over the law.
His goal broke a 3–3 deadlock.
Recent Examples on the Web
As Monaco ramped up the second-half pressure, with Spurs seemingly having no answer for the pace and fervour with which the Ligue 1 side attacked Frank’s defence from all angles, Netherlands international Teze looked set to break the deadlock.
—
Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
In recent days, several Republicans and one Democrat have spoken out in favor of the controversial legislative maneuver, which could help break the deadlock on Capitol Hill.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
What To Know The federal government shuttered at the beginning of the month after Congress failed to break a funding deadlock and pass a measure to keep agencies running.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Twice in recent years, the board spent months facing regular partisan deadlocks — first after Nathan Fletcher resigned in 2023 and again after Nora Vargas left office early this year.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
In recent days, several Republicans and one Democrat have spoken out in favor of the controversial legislative maneuver, which could help break the deadlock on Capitol Hill.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
What To Know The federal government shuttered at the beginning of the month after Congress failed to break a funding deadlock and pass a measure to keep agencies running.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Twice in recent years, the board spent months facing regular partisan deadlocks — first after Nathan Fletcher resigned in 2023 and again after Nora Vargas left office early this year.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deadlock
noun
dead·lock
-ˌläk 
: a stopping of action because both sides in a struggle are equally powerful and neither will give in
deadlock
verb
Legal Definition
deadlock
noun
dead·lock
ˈded-ˌläk
: a state of inaction resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions: as
a
: the state of a jury unable to agree on a verdict see also allen charge
b
: impasse
c
: a state in which corporate directors are unable to perform their functions because of shareholder voting
deadlock
verb
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