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 Clippers pounded Greater New Bedford keeper Benjamin Viera with shots but weren’t able to break the scoreless deadlock until the 53rd minute when Amorosino received a pass from Peter Cohane before spinning around and burying his shot into the bottom right corner for his 29th goal of the season.
—
Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
The Bank of England had to navigate a historic deadlock this summer after four policymakers voted to keep rates steady, four voted to cut by a quarter point, and one voted to cut by a half point.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025
The deadlock underscored mounting divisions within the bloc over the pace and direction of de-dollarization, the level of antagonism toward the United States, and Beijing’s aspirations for leadership in the grouping.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
The budget comes after months of deadlock in which Pennsylvania lawmakers negotiated the deal, during which time payments had been stalled to schools, counties and social services.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
The Bank of England had to navigate a historic deadlock this summer after four policymakers voted to keep rates steady, four voted to cut by a quarter point, and one voted to cut by a half point.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025
The deadlock underscored mounting divisions within the bloc over the pace and direction of de-dollarization, the level of antagonism toward the United States, and Beijing’s aspirations for leadership in the grouping.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
The budget comes after months of deadlock in which Pennsylvania lawmakers negotiated the deal, during which time payments had been stalled to schools, counties and social services.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 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 3 Dec. 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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