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Synonyms

deadlock

American  
[ded-lok] / ˈdɛdˌlɒk /

noun

  1. a state in which progress is impossible, as in a dispute, produced by the counteraction of opposing forces; standstill; stalemate.

    The union and management reached a deadlock over fringe benefits.
    Synonyms:
    draw, impasse, standoff

  2. deadbolt.

  3. a maximum-security cell for the solitary confinement of a prisoner.

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to bring or come to a deadlock.

deadlock British  
/ ˈdɛdˌlɒk /

noun

  1. a state of affairs in which further action between two opposing forces is impossible; stalemate

  2. a tie between opposite sides in a contest

  3. a lock having a bolt that can be opened only with a key

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to bring or come to a deadlock

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • undeadlocked adjective

Etymology

Origin of deadlock

First recorded in 1770–80; dead + lock 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tuesday's match was an intense affair, with former Manchester United player Tuanzebe only breaking the deadlock in the 100th minute.

From BBC

For those who were not fans of the existing ways to break a deadlock, the final straw came four months later.

From BBC

When O'Reilly broke the deadlock, he leapt high, punching the air flamboyantly before jumping on to an advertising hoarding with a flying kick.

From BBC

The BBC understands that the Hillsborough Law campaign's legal team will be in parliament next week to meet MPs in an effort to break the deadlock and galvanise support.

From BBC

The European Commission has mustered a team to try to break the deadlock over Ukraine.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.