deadlock

as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in the jury sent a note to the judge that it was hopelessly stuck in a deadlock

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deadlock 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deadlock
Noun
  • The Celtics outscored it 30-18 as the Magic’s offense ground to a halt.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump has so far not homed in on North Korea talks, prioritizing a ceasefire in the Middle East, a deal to bring fighting in Ukraine to a halt, and a nuclear agreement with Iran.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Key members of Mayor Adams’ staff, including Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, ultimately helped finalize the deal after union leaders and the city’s Office of Labor Relations reached an impasse over pay and demands that sergeants start working 12-hour tours.
    Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
  • To break the impasse, the Speaker floated creating a conference committee with the Senate to hash out their differences, or adding an amendment to the budget resolution — two ideas that would throw a wrench into GOP leadership’s ambitious timeline to get a package to Trump’s desk.
    Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But its story is broadly informed by the systemic conditions that have led to the stalemate between the medical community and the government.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The group ran through a number of ideas, according to a source, none of which would be a silver bullet to breaking the stalemate.
    Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deadlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deadlock. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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