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
But they were forced to report a dead heat under the rules established by the ski federation.
—
Arthur Daemmrich, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
As of this writing the Giants (17-10) are in a dead heat for first in the NL West with the Padres (17-9) and Dodgers (16-10), all three of whom have won more games than any of the three division leaders in the American League.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Learn more about golf rules, match-ups, futures and dead heats while also evaluating golf odds and adjustments including live betting during events.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Ecuador holds a runoff presidential election on Sunday, and the race is in a dead heat as voters decide which candidate can better address the violence that drug trafficking has unleashed on the country.
—Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Arthur Daemmrich, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2025
As of this writing the Giants (17-10) are in a dead heat for first in the NL West with the Padres (17-9) and Dodgers (16-10), all three of whom have won more games than any of the three division leaders in the American League.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Apr. 2025
Learn more about golf rules, match-ups, futures and dead heats while also evaluating golf odds and adjustments including live betting during events.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Ecuador holds a runoff presidential election on Sunday, and the race is in a dead heat as voters decide which candidate can better address the violence that drug trafficking has unleashed on the country.
—Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead heat
Noun
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But Iran's broader drift from West to East dates much further, beginning with the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled a monarchy with close ties to the U.S. and Europe.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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Marten, 38, grew up in a wealthy, aristocratic family with ties to the royal family.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
Noun
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In his most recent outing, which came in November, Barrios fought Abel Ramos to a split draw to retain the belt.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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And that one draw was only because two days were lost to rain at Old Trafford in Manchester when England were in a commanding position at a pivotal stage of the most recent Ashes series against Australia two years ago.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20heat. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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