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

---

verb

1. to bring or come to a deadlock

Other Word Forms

• undeadlocked adjective

Etymology

Origin of deadlock

First recorded in 1770–80; dead + lock ¹

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

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

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Garfield 3, Venice 2: The Bulldogs scored a run in the ninth on an error to break a 2-2 deadlock.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

The effectiveness of machine guns as defensive weapons kept both sides from achieving a breakthrough and helped prolong the deadlock of trench warfare that immobilized the Western Front.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

• dilemma
• gridlock
• plight
• predicament
• standoff
• standstill