gridlock 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrid-ˌläk How to pronounce gridlock (audio)
Definition of gridlocknext
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

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gridlock

2 of 2

verb

as in to fill

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Dissimilar 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 gridlock
Noun
The city announced a gridlock alert for the entire work week. — Christine Sloan, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 By treating the ship as an evolving platform, CSL and Adbri have bypassed the infrastructure gridlock that leaves many zero-emission concepts stranded on the drawing board. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
Waymo's vehicles contributed to gridlock during storms and widespread power outages in San Francisco last month. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gridlock
  1. halt
  2. fill
  3. deadlock
  4. cork
  5. impasse
  6. silt
  7. standstill
  8. pack
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
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Around the three-and-a-half-hour mark of the race, the finish-line medical tent filled.
    — Vibhu Krishna, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The interiors, meanwhile, are by Philip Johnson and filled with an insane Warhol-and-Jeff-Koons art collection thanks to billionaire owner Aby Rosen.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fill
Noun
  • Though largely peaceful, the protests have added to an already monthlong political crisis following a deadlock of over 19 months that has blocked the election of a president and led to two early elections.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Alito’s recusal means oral arguments next Monday will include only the other eight justices, leaving open the possibility of a 4-4 deadlock.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of deadlock
Verb
  • Web-like striations or corking on jalapeño skins occur when plants are stressed by irregular watering, dry soil, or high heat.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
  • Peppers with smooth skins will be less hot than peppers that display corking.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Definition of cork
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
Definition of impasse
Verb
  • But the estuary, which had been silting up since the 11th century, had different ideas.
    — Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
  • 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
Definition of silt
Noun
  • That means the line comes to a standstill, and wait times become excessive.
    — Connie Ogle October 1, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This summer, as river levels sank, freight transport in the Rhine and Danube came to a standstill, and nuclear power stations, cooled by river water, had to be temporarily shut down.
    — Imogen Foulkes, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of standstill
Verb
  • Kisiel is certain the finding could become more important as electronics shrink and more components are packed closer together.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But beyond the pretty bottle, the formula packs a serious skin-care punch, with 5% mandelic acid, azelaic acid, and licorice root to gently improve the appearance of dark underarms.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of pack

Browse Nearby Words

griddle cakes
gridlock
gridlocked
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Cite this Entry

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

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