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 deadlock spares Nichols, again, from a death sentence.
—
Todd Pendleton, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Davison broke that deadlock with a tough driving layup.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2025
Previous negotiations mediated by the US, Saudi Arabia and the African Union reached a deadlock.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
Miguel Mora had an RBI single in the ninth to break the 4-4 deadlock.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
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Todd Pendleton, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Davison broke that deadlock with a tough driving layup.
—Zack Cox, Hartford Courant, 13 Apr. 2025
Previous negotiations mediated by the US, Saudi Arabia and the African Union reached a deadlock.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
Miguel Mora had an RBI single in the ninth to break the 4-4 deadlock.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 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 29 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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