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dead-end 1 of 2

verb

ˈded-ˈend How to pronounce dead-end (audio)
Definition of dead-endnext
as in to end
to come to an end after several fruitless years, the research seems to have simply dead-ended

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dead end

2 of 2

noun

1
as in high road

Related Words
2
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
Others incarcerated at Aliceville were facing life-threatening health conditions, and made to navigate the same dead-end bureaucracy. — Christie Thompson, NPR, 17 June 2026 So Help Me God’s songs unfurl across five, seven, and even eight minutes, speaking on the perils of not knowing oneself, feeling suffocated by a dead-end relationship, and coaxing out the will to do better. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 15 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
  1. end
  2. high road
  3. dilemma
  4. stop
  5. close
  6. corner
  7. halt
  8. road
Verb
  • Season five ended abruptly after a video leaked of Taylor Frankie Paul throwing a stool at her ex Dakota Mortensen and almost hitting her daughter.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The World Health Organization said more than 500 people were killed in a weeklong period ending Saturday, a sharp increase.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of end
Noun
  • Bolanle rises above it all, taking the moral high road every time.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In anticipation of high road traffic on game day, local officials will extend the closure of Tasman Drive.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of high road
Noun
  • Part of what our soul requires is a person who has an authentic interior struggle — a debate, a dilemma.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Past attempts to fix this flaw created a frustrating dilemma.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilemma
Verb
  • Then a supplier’s API certificate expires overnight, a core system loses its data feed and the business stops for half a day.
    — Maman Ibrahim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Room for Disagreement A challenging path to legislation won’t stop AI from dominating the political landscape.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of stop
Noun
  • Guests mingled at the Bill Blass town house Thursday night for an up-close look at the vintage Bill Blass pieces, fashion sketches and personal letters across the designer’s career that are being auctioned at Christie’s.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Warm days on the patio and long hours spent in the garden may be coming to a close soon.
    — Brittany VanDerBill, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of close
Noun
  • In Horizon West, located in the southwest corner of the county, Bay Lake Elementary School opened about 10 years ago.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas scored in the first half with shots from outside the penalty area, before Chema Andres completed the win with a header at the back post from Gross’ corner.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of corner
Verb
  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Ukraine is ready to halt its strikes on Russian territory if allies can secure a genuine Russian commitment not to hit Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Policymakers and advocates need to promote laws and regulations to protect youth, following the evidence of what’s proven to halt cycles of addiction.
    — Susan Morrisey, STAT, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of halt
Noun
  • Sophia Wilson tallied a goal and two assists in her 100th NWSL regular-season appearance, leading the Thorns (12-7-6) to a decisive road win over Orlando that snapped a three-match winless streak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Isolated outback station From the air, Oak Park Station is a dot on a vast, mostly barren landscape scattered with trees, low-lying vegetation and long lines of roads and fences,around 150 miles north of Adelaide.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of road

Browse Nearby Words

deaden
dead-end
dead end
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Cite this Entry

“Dead-end.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead-end. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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