as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in
with the White House controlled by one party and Congress by the other, the nation experienced four years of legislative gridlock
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in to fill
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gridlock
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
The disastrous response to that icy gridlock turned Atlanta into a laughingstock and transformed how leaders prepare for severe weather.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Dj Gribbin, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Cincinnati Just as a three- or four-team tie atop the Big 12 feels likely, so, too, does gridlock in the cellar.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Noun
Analysts say this gridlock makes comprehensive reforms—such as overhauling the tax code, adjusting entitlement programs, or adopting binding budget rules—politically difficult even as the math grows more unforgiving.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
The disastrous response to that icy gridlock turned Atlanta into a laughingstock and transformed how leaders prepare for severe weather.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
While the state Assembly derailed that initial plan, forfeiting the grant, the push for a practical remedy to gridlock never died.
—Dj Gribbin, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
Cincinnati Just as a three- or four-team tie atop the Big 12 feels likely, so, too, does gridlock in the cellar.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gridlock
Noun
-
This marked the end of the strike, which brought the San Francisco Unified School District to a halt for the first time in over 45 years.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Doja Cat‘s South African homecoming may have been brought to a halt when Hey Neighbour festival canceled its 2025 staging, but the Grammy winner will finally get to visit her motherland this spring.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These moves fill holes and buy time for prospects, forcing them to meet certain thresholds before advancing through the minors.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
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According to the city, if approved, Peterson would fill a seat previously held by Commissioner Joseph Mitchell, whose term ended in November 2025.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The elections were later postponed indefinitely amid political deadlock and security concerns.—
Nic Robertson,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Arsenal’s convincing 4-0 victory at Leeds had a familiar format on Saturday, breaking the deadlock with yet another set piece to take three crucial points back to north London.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Carlin Karr, director of wine and beverage at Stuckey’s restaurants — including Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder — believes roughly 1 in 10 wine bottles are off in taste, or corked.—
Jeremy Harlan,
CNN Money,
16 July 2025
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Public opposition to the fee helped cork the proposal.—
Sarah Scoles,
JSTOR Daily,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Parents like de Ayora said the stakes are high for families and students if the impasse continues.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
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The final step in the negotiations — an impasse hearing — is expected to take place in the coming weeks.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rock was originally silt on the seafloor that, it's argued, hosted early microbial life that was buried by more silt, leaving the carbon as their remains.—
Howard Lee,
ArsTechnica,
11 Aug. 2025
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Historically, the region itself was created by the natural flooding and silting processes of the Mississippi River, which flows across the breadth of the state before spilling into the Gulf of America.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Because of Tuesday’s rule failure, any bills tucked into that measure sit at a standstill.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Feb. 2026
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The result is a silhouette that suggests motion even at a standstill, the kind of restraint that feels premium in a segment too often defined by safe, anonymous shapes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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During their journey, thousands of people came out to greet the monks, who were welcomed into communities, churches and state capitols as streets were packed with well-wishers and police officers.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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Of course the main lobby restaurant, Le Jardin, which has icy buckets chilling wine and the near-constant scent of truffles in the air during its 24-hour service, is always packed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gridlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gridlock. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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