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
Paxton left after giving up a leadoff single in the seventh inning with the score tied 3-3, a deadlock the Dodgers broke with two runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings.
—
Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2024
The use of elections to try, so far in vain, to break Bulgaria’s political deadlock is at least a sign that the country has broken with the artificial stability of the communist era, when the same party always won and ruled unchallenged from 1946 until 1989.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadlock 
Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2024
The use of elections to try, so far in vain, to break Bulgaria’s political deadlock is at least a sign that the country has broken with the artificial stability of the communist era, when the same party always won and ruled unchallenged from 1946 until 1989.
—Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for deadlock
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deadlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deadlock
Cite this Entry
“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadlock. Accessed 23 May. 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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