Synonyms of deadlock

deadlock

noun

ˈded-ˌläk 

as in halt

a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in

the jury sent a note to the judge that it was hopelessly stuck in a deadlock

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halt
• impasse
• stalemate
• gridlock
• standstill
• standoff
• jam
• logjam
• predicament
• dilemma
• Mexican standoff
• problem
• bottleneck
• bind
• pickle
• quandary
• plight
• hole
• dead end
• quagmire
• corner
• morass
• fix
• difficulty
• pinch
• spot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deadlock

That deadlock has thrust Ra’am, led by MK Mansour Abbas, back into the spotlight. — Tomer Almagor, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026

The price of Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose almost 6% this week as hopes faded of a quick resolution to a deadlock that’s disrupted the flow of oil and other key commodities to global markets. — Arsalan Shahla, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

For Russia and Ukraine, the analogous deadlock concerns control over the Donbas. — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026

The second atomic bomb—not the first—broke the deadlock within Japan’s leadership, compelled Emperor Hirohito to intervene in the political process, and set in motion Japan’s surrender. — James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026