dead heat

noun

Definition of dead heatnext
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

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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 heat This poll is slightly different from the July 28 TPOR poll, which showed Middleton and Johnson in a dead heat — 39% to 38% with 18% undecided. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The 39-year-old has led Argentina to the World Cup’s round of 16 and his seven goals have put him in a dead heat with Norway’s Erling Haaland and France’s Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot trophy. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 7 July 2026 By then the Gallup poll had us in a dead heat. — Chris Matthews, New York Daily News, 11 June 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 See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead heat
  1. tie
  2. draw
Noun
  • Even as Democrats target his Virginia district to capitalize on a favorable 2026 environment, McGuire is doing the opposite of Republicans in some competitive races, who are softening their ties to Trump.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Plus, it can be worn over T-shirts, tank tops, and blouses, like the tie-knot one Stewart wore.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • System-level operating strategy optimisation reduces unnecessary standby and low-load power draw.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For Hendrikx, two subjects in the book particularly stand out for their different draws to the same passion.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of draw

Browse Nearby Words

deadheads
dead heat
dead heats
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20heat. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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