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 tension continued to build until Mexico released the pressure with a set piece goal to break the deadlock in the 77th minute.
—
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
But even his involvement hasn't broken the deadlock.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between its Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deadlock
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Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2025
But even his involvement hasn't broken the deadlock.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between its Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock.
—Samya Kullab, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
Ukraine has offered an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and a meeting between Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to break the deadlock.
—Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 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 21 Jul. 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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