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
Borregales’ status as a 2025 draft pick (sixth round out of Miami) could give him an edge over journeyman Romo (five NFL teams in four seasons, including a stint on the Patriots’ practice squad last December) in a dead heat.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Also scoring the second-biggest opening day of 2025 behind Chicken Jockey juggernaut A Minecraft Movie, Fantastic Four pulled in another $100 million internationally — placing it in a virtual dead heat with Superman, which took in $220 million over its global opening.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 28 July 2025
Martina Navratilova won 74 straight matches in 1984. 1990 — The 18th triple dead heat in modern thoroughbred history takes place in the ninth race at Arlington International Racecourse.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Heading into Election Day on Tuesday, the candidates were in a virtual dead heat.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025
Also scoring the second-biggest opening day of 2025 behind Chicken Jockey juggernaut A Minecraft Movie, Fantastic Four pulled in another $100 million internationally — placing it in a virtual dead heat with Superman, which took in $220 million over its global opening.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 28 July 2025
Martina Navratilova won 74 straight matches in 1984. 1990 — The 18th triple dead heat in modern thoroughbred history takes place in the ninth race at Arlington International Racecourse.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Heading into Election Day on Tuesday, the candidates were in a virtual dead heat.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead heat
Noun
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Norman was a patrol officer, Cooper said, and his posts on social media have no ties to the department, although officials were aware of his massive following.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Sep. 2025
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Some analysts have questioned whether the slogans on the casings suggest ties to anti-fascist or left-leaning groups, or whether they were intended as references to internet culture.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Nebraska Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.—
Jay Cannon,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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Political stability, a favorable family-office regime, independent courts, and Mandarin fluency made Singapore a natural draw for China's super-rich.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20heat. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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