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
Synonyms
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
Casemiro broke the deadlock minutes after the half-hour mark, heading home from a Luke Shaw freekick.
—
Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Johnson broke a 23-23 deadlock to make Chicago the largest American city to call for a cease-fire.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024
Just six months into his tenure, Faye called for a snap election to break the political deadlock in the country’s parliament, where opposition parties continue to dominate—and, in his telling, obstruct his legislative agenda.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
The State Law Firm describes a deadlock as a hung jury, when members aren't able to come to a unanimous decision.
—Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2024
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Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024
Johnson broke a 23-23 deadlock to make Chicago the largest American city to call for a cease-fire.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 7 Oct. 2024
Just six months into his tenure, Faye called for a snap election to break the political deadlock in the country’s parliament, where opposition parties continue to dominate—and, in his telling, obstruct his legislative agenda.
—Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024
The State Law Firm describes a deadlock as a hung jury, when members aren't able to come to a unanimous decision.
—Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadlock
Dictionary Entries Near deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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