as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other
the horses crossed the finish line in a dead heat
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Recent Examples of dead heat
An Emerson College poll in September showed the race in a dead heat at 43%.
—
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
New Jersey Democrat Mikie Sherrill, meanwhile, is in a dead heat against Republican Jack Ciattarelli based on recent polling in that race.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Two polls released over the weekend suggest their races could be tightening—with one poll showing Sherrill and Ciattarelli locked in a dead heat.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
At the time, the match was in a dead heat with the third set tied 5-5 after Sabalenka lost three straight games to Pegula.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025
New Jersey Democrat Mikie Sherrill, meanwhile, is in a dead heat against Republican Jack Ciattarelli based on recent polling in that race.
—Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Two polls released over the weekend suggest their races could be tightening—with one poll showing Sherrill and Ciattarelli locked in a dead heat.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
At the time, the match was in a dead heat with the third set tied 5-5 after Sabalenka lost three straight games to Pegula.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead heat
Noun
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Late last year, Descovich led a letter urging the federal government to cut ties with the SPLC.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
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While primarily based in Los Angeles, Alec has maintained more visible ties to Michigan real estate, including a sizable lakefront home along Lake Michigan built in 2013.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The results are in for the Maine Lottery’s draw games on Saturday, March 28, 2026.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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For many, the local bands are a main draw.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20heat. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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