1
: a state of inaction or neutralization resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions : standstill
the deadlock was broken with a key compromise
2
: a tie score
deadlock
verb
Examples of deadlock in a Sentence
City councilors reached a deadlock over the law.
His goal broke a 3–3 deadlock.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yesterday’s pangrams were cloaked, deadlock and deadlocked.
—
New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Crean Lutheran went on an 11-0 run after a 57-57 deadlock in the fourth quarter to defeat host Brentwood 62-52 in Division 1.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
The senate has operated generally without high tension this session, a contrast to the deadlock in the House.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2025
After the Spartans tied the match a little later, Menlo’s leading scorer Roya Rezaee headed in a corner kick from Krista Arreola to break the 1-1 deadlock.
—Mike Lefkow, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Crean Lutheran went on an 11-0 run after a 57-57 deadlock in the fourth quarter to defeat host Brentwood 62-52 in Division 1.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
The senate has operated generally without high tension this session, a contrast to the deadlock in the House.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2025
After the Spartans tied the match a little later, Menlo’s leading scorer Roya Rezaee headed in a corner kick from Krista Arreola to break the 1-1 deadlock.
—Mike Lefkow, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deadlock
noun
dead·lock
-ˌläk 
: a stopping of action because both sides in a struggle are equally powerful and neither will give in
deadlock
verb
Legal Definition
deadlock
noun
dead·lock
ˈded-ˌläk
: a state of inaction resulting from the opposition of equally powerful uncompromising persons or factions: as
a
: the state of a jury unable to agree on a verdict see also allen charge
b
: impasse
c
: a state in which corporate directors are unable to perform their functions because of shareholder voting
deadlock
verb
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