Definition of deadlocknext
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

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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 deadlock Fresh proposal Araghchi’s meeting with Witkoff to restart talks was an attempt to break three months of diplomatic deadlock. — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, as the political deadlock shows no signs of resolution, Serbian industry professionals worry about the consequences that their silencing will have on society at large. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 Lake Forest junior Sam Florjancic and Libertyville senior Austin Scott capitalized with birdies on their final holes to create a three-man deadlock at the top of the leaderboard. — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel on the US-Iran geopolitical deadlock. — Chloé Farand, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deadlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadlock
Noun
  • The government that came soon after brought it all to a screeching, heavily consequential halt.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But ongoing deportations from the United States threaten to bring these transfers, which are a lifeline for the country’s economy and its people, to a halt.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The two sides reached an impasse on how revenue would be distributed, along with losses from projects that failed to turn a profit.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Public Employment Relations Board has agreed to SEIU Local 1000’s request for an impasse declaration.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Houthis had been fighting the Saudis since 2015 in Yemen’s civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people before settling into a stalemate and an uneasy ceasefire in 2022.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The buildup comes as the war, now in its eighth month, remains stuck in a stalemate.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadlock. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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