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

The Omani deal with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz is also a dead end. — Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026 Just before the anniversary of Guthrie’s disappearance, law enforcement hit another dead end. — Stephanie Murray, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead-end

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead-end

Verb

However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Amid a scorching stretch, Bregman ends the month with his lifetime total now sitting at two.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of end

Noun

Getty Images The plight of the A’s in Oakland and the Rays in Tampa Bay has been a Major League Baseball dilemma for decades, spanning the careers of the last two commissioners, Rob Manfred and Bud Selig.

— Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Gaines and White talked at length at halftime of Friday’s game about their convictions on the trans in women’s sports dilemma.

— Patricia Babcock McGraw OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of dilemma

Verb

And, there are lots of studies out there that show many in my generation have stopped believing in the promise of the American Dream.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
His government has implemented policies that slow energy permitting and development, canceled billions in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects and spent nearly $4 billion to buy back leases to stop offshore wind projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stop

Noun

However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
However, as the month comes to a close, North Texas will see a slight chance of rain later in the week.

— Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of close

Noun

Civilian infrastructure failed or disappeared, telecommunications broke down, and hundreds of thousands of people were stranded in what was already a relatively remote, rugged corner of the country.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
But apart from that, there’s the matter of just how awfully spirit-lifting her earth-angel mezzo-soprano tends to be, even when backing herself into dark corners before backing her way back out again.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of corner

Verb

Trade groups representing cities, counties and businesses argued the first provision would give tribes power to delay or halt projects, including those that had already been reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
But the index has stayed within 2% of the peak, the pullbacks so far halting a handful of points above what had been the top of the former multi-month range.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

Authorities on Wednesday pre-emptively announced that roads leading to the port would be closed to non-emergency vehicles for seven days, according to state media.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, each NHL team must sign a permanent emergency backup who will be at every home game and travel with the team to all road games (like a bullpen catcher in Major League Baseball).

— Michael Russo, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of road

Browse Nearby Words

deaden

dead-end

dead end

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“Dead-end.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead-end. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dead-end

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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