deadlock

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A situation in which no progress can be made because two sides refuse to agree or change their position.

   Grammar: Often used in the singular with 'a' or 'the': reach a deadlock. Can be plural: break several deadlocks.

   Patterns

   • reach a deadlock
   • break a deadlock
   • end in deadlock
   • a deadlock between someone and someone

   The talks reached a deadlock after both sides refused to compromise.

   A deadlock between the two parties has delayed the new law for months.

   The negotiations ended in deadlock, so a new meeting was scheduled.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To cause a group or process to stop making progress because no agreement can be reached.

   Grammar: Usually used in the passive: be deadlocked. It takes an object when active: deadlock the talks.

   Patterns

   • deadlock something
   • be deadlocked over something
   • be deadlocked on something

   The union and management were deadlocked over pay.

   Disagreements over the budget deadlocked the committee for weeks.

Word forms

Common combinations

reach a deadlock

The two countries reached a deadlock over trade rules.

break a deadlock

A new proposal finally broke the deadlock.

end in deadlock

The meeting ended in deadlock after five hours.

political deadlock

The country faced a political deadlock after the election.

Synonyms and how they differ

stalemate

Very similar; often used for games or wars where neither side can win, while deadlock is common in talks and politics.

impasse

More formal; stresses that no solution can be found, often in diplomacy.

standoff

Suggests a tense confrontation, not just a failure to agree.

Opposites

Word family

deadlocked adjective

Unable to make progress because of disagreement.

Commonly confused: deadlock or deadline?

Practice

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