deadlock

noun

dead·​lock ˈded-ˌläk How to pronounce deadlock (audio)
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 United were rewarded for the early pressure and broke the deadlock through McTominay 10 minutes in, who poked home after Alejandro Garnacho’s shot was saved by Kelleher. Sam Joseph, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Several rounds of talks have failed to break the deadlock. Rishi Lekhi and Ashok Sharma, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Weinstein, in a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claimed that agency co-founders Bryan Besser and Adam Levine terminated him following his attempts to resolve a deadlock on personnel and administrative matters such as board of director composition and officer compensation. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 The deadlock raised questions about whether Congress would be able to salvage the emergency aid package and, if so, how. Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 Madrid has a game in hand compared to Girona. Barcelona moved back into third place with a 4-2 win over Real Betis, with substitute João Félix breaking the deadlock in the 90th minute and Ferran Torres completing his hat trick in stoppage time. Tales Azzoni, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2024 The 4-4 deadlock is expected to remain in place until the seat is filled. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Attorney General Frank Kelley opposes the NAACP Justice Lewis F. Powell, whose decision not to participate in the Richmond case helped produce the 4-4 deadlock that left the issue of metropolitan school integration unsettled, asked only a few minor, technical questions Wednesday. William Grant, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024 After hours of debate, Mayor Brandon Johnson voted in favor, breaking a 23-23 deadlock. NBC News, 1 Feb. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadlock was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near deadlock

Cite this Entry

“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deadlock

noun
dead·​lock -ˌläk How to pronounce deadlock (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce deadlock (audio)
: 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
c
: a state in which corporate directors are unable to perform their functions because of shareholder voting
deadlock verb

More from Merriam-Webster on deadlock

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