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
The elections were later postponed indefinitely amid political deadlock and security concerns.
—
Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Arsenal’s convincing 4-0 victory at Leeds had a familiar format on Saturday, breaking the deadlock with yet another set piece to take three crucial points back to north London.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The deadlock essentially kills the proposal because San Diego City Council policies stipulate that three votes from the five-member panel – the Rules Committee – are needed for a proposal to move forward.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
While Cannone sent the jury back to deliberate further, the trial ultimately ended with a deadlock, leading the Norfolk County Superior Court judge to declare a mistrial on July 1.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Arsenal’s convincing 4-0 victory at Leeds had a familiar format on Saturday, breaking the deadlock with yet another set piece to take three crucial points back to north London.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
The deadlock essentially kills the proposal because San Diego City Council policies stipulate that three votes from the five-member panel – the Rules Committee – are needed for a proposal to move forward.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
While Cannone sent the jury back to deliberate further, the trial ultimately ended with a deadlock, leading the Norfolk County Superior Court judge to declare a mistrial on July 1.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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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