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 deadlock has put a pall over Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are frustrated, staffers aren’t getting paid, and the mood is dark, even compared to shutdowns of years past.
—
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
The Bergen County Board of Elections had a 3-3 party line deadlock in a vote over whether to notify the affected voters, the outlet reported.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Eastlake Girls tennis A senior, DelCastillo swept her three singles matches and the Titans broke a 9-9 deadlock with a 73-68 advantage in total games won to top San Marcos in the section Division 2 championships.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
That’s because a congressional deadlock tied to the extension of enhanced subsidies for insurance premiums has continued with no end in sight.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
The Bergen County Board of Elections had a 3-3 party line deadlock in a vote over whether to notify the affected voters, the outlet reported.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
Eastlake Girls tennis A senior, DelCastillo swept her three singles matches and the Titans broke a 9-9 deadlock with a 73-68 advantage in total games won to top San Marcos in the section Division 2 championships.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Nov. 2025
That’s because a congressional deadlock tied to the extension of enhanced subsidies for insurance premiums has continued with no end in sight.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 31 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 6 Nov. 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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