DEAD-END Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

dead-end 1 of 2

verb

ˈded-ˈend

Definition of dead-end

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

as in high road

Related Words

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

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 Time confetti is basically a dead-end street to burnout, Brown adds. — Parents, 13 June 2026

Noun

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 While federal policymakers treat a philosophy degree as a financial dead end, the architects of the AI economy are saying the opposite. — Dr. Alan Kadish, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead-end

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead-end

Verb

But the most shocking win was, of course, UMass’ 37-21 victory at Rutgers, ending a 16-game losing streak and 23-game Football Bowl Subdivision losing streak.

— Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
The goal ended the Trojans’ hopes of a huge win, but the draw was still an important result for USC, considering how this season has gone.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of end

Noun

Before this dilemma can play out, Hal triggers an Indiana Jones–esque booby trap inside the compound’s stronghold, summoning Macon’s men with their advanced weaponry.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Democrats are happy to point out the dilemma facing their Republican opponents.

— Zac Anderson, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of dilemma

Noun

John Cena’s in-ring career may have come to a close, but WWE star Cody Rhodes is still dealing with him virtually.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
But then the season ended, and then there were midterms, and then the semester came to a close, resetting the discourse until the next football column appears.

— Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of close

Noun

Jacob Ramsey’s equaliser was also a demonstration of composure in a pressurised moment, with the midfielder calmly slotting into the bottom right-hand corner, making sure to keep his effort low.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Mensah capped that drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Toney and the two connected on a 2-yard score on the next possession with Toney punctuating both TDs with a Heisman pose for the Hurricanes fans in that corner of the stadium.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of corner

Verb

The escalation shattered a four-year truce that had largely halted the fighting in the civil war.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
The fighting has halted most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil supply passed before the war began.

— Cathy Bussewitz, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Tariffs on cement, road salt and hospital pads were removed and replaced with duties on all-terrain vehicles, some cheeses and motorboats.

— Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Some might be taken on the road and featured in live appearances, or at least have their stories recorded and included in campaign ads.

— Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of road

Browse Nearby Words

deaden

dead-end

dead end

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Style

“Dead-end.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead-end. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dead-end

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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