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
Taiwan is failing to adequately plan for its own defense, a former senior official warned, as the island faces a political deadlock over a military spending bill and an upcoming visit by the opposition leader to Beijing.
—
Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The Nashville Predators moseyed westward for a California swing that started with a tie-breaking triumph against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, continued with another deadlock-loosening clash with the Kings on Monday and will wrap up versus the Ducks on Tuesday.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Since 2013, the Lebanese government has delayed parliamentary elections multiple times, citing among other factors the war in neighboring Syria, political deadlock and disputes over electoral law.
—Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026
Godo hit the crossbar after 24 minutes and broke the deadlock soon after with another header into the far corner.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The Nashville Predators moseyed westward for a California swing that started with a tie-breaking triumph against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, continued with another deadlock-loosening clash with the Kings on Monday and will wrap up versus the Ducks on Tuesday.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Since 2013, the Lebanese government has delayed parliamentary elections multiple times, citing among other factors the war in neighboring Syria, political deadlock and disputes over electoral law.
—Jasmin Lilian Diab, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2026
Godo hit the crossbar after 24 minutes and broke the deadlock soon after with another header into the far corner.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 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 11 Apr. 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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