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
For decades, the idea of big-league baseball in Orlando felt like nothing more than a mirage; especially in the shadow of the Tampa Bay Rays and the persistent deadlock surrounding a permanent stadium deal in the Bay area.
—
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
But the cluster model offers a way to break persistent deadlocks on other, more controversial areas of policy, such as defense or climate action, by allowing groups of like-minded European states to cooperate more deeply without the constraint of needing EU-wide unanimity.
—Sophia Besch, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025
Whoever is elected to the now-vacant District 1 seat will break a partisan deadlock — and help steer the future of county government.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
The move, which comes amid a deadlock in ceasefire talks, follows reports that the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Friday presented a plan for intensifying pressure on Palestinian militant group Hamas to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
—Dana Karni, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
But the cluster model offers a way to break persistent deadlocks on other, more controversial areas of policy, such as defense or climate action, by allowing groups of like-minded European states to cooperate more deeply without the constraint of needing EU-wide unanimity.
—Sophia Besch, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025
Whoever is elected to the now-vacant District 1 seat will break a partisan deadlock — and help steer the future of county government.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
The move, which comes amid a deadlock in ceasefire talks, follows reports that the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Friday presented a plan for intensifying pressure on Palestinian militant group Hamas to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
—Dana Karni, CNN Money, 3 May 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 20 May. 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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