deadlock

noun

dead·​lock ˈded-ˌläk 

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

• gridlock
• halt
• impasse
• logjam
• Mexican standoff
• stalemate
• standoff
• standstill

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

Lebanon is experiencing a political deadlock that has prevented the election of a new president. —Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024

Russia's war on Ukraine has ground to a bloody stalemate in recent months, with neither side able to decisively break the deadlock. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a former State Department official, warned that the administration must worry that continued deadlock will weaken U.S. influence in the Middle East and beyond. —Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2024

Casemiro broke the deadlock minutes after the half-hour mark, heading home from a Luke Shaw freekick. —Ben Church, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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