as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
with the White House controlled by one party and Congress by the other, the nation experienced four years of legislative gridlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to fill
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gridlock
Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The closer their driver got to the Flames’ home rink, the worse the traffic got until they were hopelessly stuck in gridlock still several blocks from the arena.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
While the state Assembly derailed that initial plan, forfeiting the grant, the push for a practical remedy to gridlock never died.
—Dj Gribbin, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Noun
Even rich celebrities aren't fully immune to the long airport security lines that congressional gridlock has created.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The closer their driver got to the Flames’ home rink, the worse the traffic got until they were hopelessly stuck in gridlock still several blocks from the arena.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Waiting until the last minute can lead to gridlock on the road for you and obstruct first responders trying to get to the active fire zone.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
While the state Assembly derailed that initial plan, forfeiting the grant, the push for a practical remedy to gridlock never died.
—Dj Gribbin, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gridlock
Noun
-
In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
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About 20% of the world’s oil supply travels through the narrow strait, and the recent halt in shipping impacts the wider economy, raising expectations of higher inflation.—
Alison Saldanha,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kevin MacEgan, the couple’s eldest son, said his parents were victimized in this manner because of the choices made by Abril — and by the CHP, to approach Abril in a park filled with children playing baseball and other visitors.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Ultra and Miami officials recommend public transportation because lots tend to fill.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The duel didn’t disappoint, as Langford and the Eagles broke a 2-2 deadlock, punching across a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to emerge with a 4-2 triumph over the Falcons.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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As a result of quick passing combinations at the top of the box, Linda Ullmark found Kiki van Zanten to break the deadlock with a left-footed finish in the 43rd minute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Carlin Karr, director of wine and beverage at Stuckey’s restaurants — including Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder — believes roughly 1 in 10 wine bottles are off in taste, or corked.—
Jeremy Harlan,
CNN Money,
16 July 2025
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Public opposition to the fee helped cork the proposal.—
Sarah Scoles,
JSTOR Daily,
11 June 2025
Noun
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But Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate find themselves at a familiar impasse, bitterly divided over which approach to take.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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The collapse of the deal leaves Congress, now on a two-week spring break, with no easy way out of the impasse that has put the Homeland Security Department into a shutdown since mid-February.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The rock was originally silt on the seafloor that, it's argued, hosted early microbial life that was buried by more silt, leaving the carbon as their remains.—
Howard Lee,
ArsTechnica,
11 Aug. 2025
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Historically, the region itself was created by the natural flooding and silting processes of the Mississippi River, which flows across the breadth of the state before spilling into the Gulf of America.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime shipping route for global oil supplies, remains effectively at a standstill, causing the biggest oil supply disruption in history.—
Jessica Dickler,Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
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Now, hiring is nearly at a standstill and Americans’ saving rate has steadily fallen in the past few years as many households borrow more to sustain their spending.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
People who like luscious heritage hotels packed to the rafters with stories.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday, residents and business owners packed city hall to ask questions about what could happen to the area if the city's operations are turned over to Paulding County—a move mandated by SB 630.—
Monique John,
CBS News,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gridlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gridlock. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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