Synonyms of dead heat

dead heat

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tie
• draw
• standoff
• stalemate
• deadlock
• impasse
• horse race
• seesaw
• photo finish
• toss-up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dead heat

The 18th triple dead heat in modern thoroughbred history takes place in the ninth race at Arlington International Racecourse. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026

Cornyn had been in a dead heat with Paxton as early voting got underway on Monday, and Cornyn came out slightly ahead when the two ran against each other in the March primary. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 19 May 2026

The result marks a significant shift from a late-January survey showing the two candidates locked in a dead heat. — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026

If two horses hit the wire at the exact same time it’s called a dead heat. — Neil Greenberg, New York Times, 1 May 2026