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 in Congress stems from conflicting spending plans, with Republicans pushing for a clean bill, while Democrats have conditioned their support on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.
—
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
The deadlock leaves the government barreling toward its first shutdown in nearly seven years.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
The reimposition of sanctions highlights a nuclear deadlock that is likely to hinder Western powers from monitoring Iran's nuclear activities in the future, especially after Tehran has banned inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from accessing sites.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
As a deadlock in Congress has prevented passage of the federal budget, Democrats have garnered increasing attention for drawing a line on this particular issue.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
The deadlock leaves the government barreling toward its first shutdown in nearly seven years.
—Nik Popli, Time, 29 Sep. 2025
The reimposition of sanctions highlights a nuclear deadlock that is likely to hinder Western powers from monitoring Iran's nuclear activities in the future, especially after Tehran has banned inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from accessing sites.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
As a deadlock in Congress has prevented passage of the federal budget, Democrats have garnered increasing attention for drawing a line on this particular issue.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 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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