writer's block

noun

: a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The two gifted minds tackle this enchanting invention about a depressed screenwriter with writer's block. —

Michael Lee Simpson, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2022 Based on Stephen King's terrifying novel, Jack Nicholson stars as Jack Torrance, a recovering alcoholic with writer's block who takes a job as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies during off-season. —

Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Dec. 2022 His writer's block takes him to Florida, where he gets caught up in a crime plot with writer Susan Orleans (Meryl Streep). —

Juliana Ukiomogbe, ELLE, 1 Jan. 2023 In an idyllic cabin in the woods, a deaf author named Maddie is trying out new recipes, avoiding her ex-boyfriend's phone calls, and trying to combat writer's block, all while a crazed lunatic waits to strike. —

K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 20 Oct. 2022 Jack Nicholson stars as Jack Torrance, a man suffering from writer's block, who moves his family into the Overlook Hotel for the winter. —

Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Sep. 2022 Gaiman says the story was inspired by his own struggle with writer's block while working on the comic. —

Christian Holub, EW.com, 20 Aug. 2022 But coming up with the perfect Instagram caption to accompany that adorable photo from your childhood playdates can oftentimes lead to an acute case of writer's block. —

Elizabeth Berry, Woman's Day, 13 May 2022 In GAC Family's premiere of The Winter Palace, Danica plays a romance writer named Emily who's got an unfortunate case of writer's block with a deadline to finish her book that's quickly approaching. —

Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 8 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'writer's block.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of writer's block was in 1949

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Writer's block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/writer%27s%20block. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

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