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
Synonyms
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
Behind the scenes: Two U.S. officials said the White House sees the current situation in Lebanon as an opportunity to break the deadlock over the election of a Lebanese president and thinks this should be the top priority, even before a push for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
—
Barak Ravid, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024
With just over a week before the deadline, the deadlock risks turning into a game of chicken that threatens an economy that’s weathering a sharp slowdown in job growth with lingering inflation concerns.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
Alexis Mac Allister soon broke the deadlock by finishing off a fine team move early in the second half.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Despite the deadlock, the United Nations, in collaboration with local health authorities, has pursued a campaign to vaccinate 640,000 children in Gaza after its first polio case in around 25 years.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadlock 
Barak Ravid, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024
With just over a week before the deadline, the deadlock risks turning into a game of chicken that threatens an economy that’s weathering a sharp slowdown in job growth with lingering inflation concerns.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2024
Alexis Mac Allister soon broke the deadlock by finishing off a fine team move early in the second half.
—Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024
Despite the deadlock, the United Nations, in collaboration with local health authorities, has pursued a campaign to vaccinate 640,000 children in Gaza after its first polio case in around 25 years.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadlock
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deadlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
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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