DEAD END Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

dead-end 1 of 2

verb

ˈded-ˈend

Definition of dead-end

as in to end

to come to an end after several fruitless years, the research seems to have simply dead-ended

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dead end

2 of 2

noun

as in high road

Related Words

as in dilemma

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dead-end

Verb

Boca Chica Beach is a free, undeveloped eight-mile stretch of Gulf shoreline near Brownsville—the southernmost city in Texas—where Highway 4 dead-ends at the water and SpaceX’s Starbase launch towers loom to the north. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 28 June 2026 However, a dead-end job doesn't necessarily mean a bad job. — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Noun

Chicago’s results were hard to square with the claim that higher standards were an academic dead end. — Michael Casserly, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 For the millions of people living with the disorder, understanding may be the beginning of recovery rather than another dead end. — Mackenzi Moore, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead-end

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead-end

Verb

Over the course of Next Gen NYC’s season, which ended this past week, the model Ava Dash grabs a slice of pizza on Fulton Street; strolls through the Seaport; and calls her father, the hip-hop mogul Damon Dash, from a bench at Pier 17.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 Sep. 2026
Tehran's latest proposal again sought to end the fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of end

Noun

The Democratic dilemma was crystallized last month when Democratic National Committee members approved dueling messages — one to abolish ICE, the other to reform it.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
To the modern true-crime aficionado, the Unabomber must present an intriguing dilemma.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dilemma

Verb

This, combined with the glacial pace of emissions reductions, gives the sense that key players are more interested in surviving what’s coming, rather than stopping it.

— Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
But that hasn’t stopped platforms from trying to woo large traders.

— Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stop

Noun

The quick short corner surprised Greenville (6-16-5), and Barea hit the edge of the 18-yard box before lifting a cross to the far post.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
Defense forces three and out Bryce Fitzgerald and Ethan O’Connor at outside corner.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of corner

Browse Nearby Words

deaden

dead-end

dead end

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dead-end.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead-end. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dead-end

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

adventitious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes