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
The race is nonpartisan, but the incoming supervisor will break the 2-2 deadlock between the two Democrats and the two Republicans on the current Board of Supervisors.
—
Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The ongoing deadlock raises the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in an already unstable Middle East, where an American aircraft carrier strike group is leading a U.S. military operation against the Houthi militants in Yemen.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Given the congressional deadlock — not to mention how the country is divided politically — the prospect of this appear slim.
—Luke Garrett, NPR, 30 Mar. 2025
Neither story completely convinced the jurors, who returned multiple notes indicating a deadlock.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
The ongoing deadlock raises the risk of direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran in an already unstable Middle East, where an American aircraft carrier strike group is leading a U.S. military operation against the Houthi militants in Yemen.
—Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Given the congressional deadlock — not to mention how the country is divided politically — the prospect of this appear slim.
—Luke Garrett, NPR, 30 Mar. 2025
Neither story completely convinced the jurors, who returned multiple notes indicating a deadlock.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 30 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 16 Apr. 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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