as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other
the horses crossed the finish line in a dead heat
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Recent Examples of dead heat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's last poll had Kemp and Ossoff in a dead heat, while Ossoff held a clear lead over other potential Republican contenders.
—
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
In polls released this week, Earle-Sears and former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger remain locked in a close race, continuing their dead heat of last year.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025
Pennsylvania and Nevada were a dead heat in the final Five Thirty Eight polling averages; Michigan and Wisconsin finished with a single-point advantage for Harris; and Arizona and Georgia showed a slight edge for Trump.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024
But Molina and Posey finished in a virtual dead heat, separated by only 22 votes.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
In polls released this week, Earle-Sears and former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger remain locked in a close race, continuing their dead heat of last year.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Jan. 2025
Pennsylvania and Nevada were a dead heat in the final Five Thirty Eight polling averages; Michigan and Wisconsin finished with a single-point advantage for Harris; and Arizona and Georgia showed a slight edge for Trump.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024
But Molina and Posey finished in a virtual dead heat, separated by only 22 votes.
—Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead heat
Noun
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The Braves are in the midst of their worst season in almost a decade, but generations of Atlanta stars — some with Mets ties!—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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New York Shorts features films by directors with ties to New York: Bingham Bryant’s Doomed and Famous, Eve Liu’s Nervous Energy, Mary Rose McClain’s February Omen, Nathan Silver’s Carol & Joy, and David Cardoza’s Turtle Sandwich.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Supermarket shoppers in the Miami and Orlando areas shared Monday’s lone jackpot win among the Fantasy 5, Cash4Life and Powerball draw games.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Aug. 2025
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Wimbledon featured a record 26 current or former college players in men’s singles and nine more in the women’s draw.—
Steve Megargee,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20heat. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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