If a dispute or series of negotiations reaches deadlock, neither side is willing to give in at all and no agreement can be made.
They called for a compromise on all sides to break the deadlock in the world tradetalks.
Peace talks between the two sides ended in deadlock last month.
Synonyms: impasse, stalemate, standstill, halt More Synonyms of deadlock
More Synonyms of deadlock
deadlock in British English
(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
4.
to bring or come to a deadlock
deadlock in American English
(ˈdɛdˌlɑk)
noun
1.
a standstill resulting from the action of equal and opposed forces; stalemate
2.
a tie between opponents in the course of a contest
3.
deadbolt
verb transitive, verb intransitive
4.
to bring or come to a deadlock
Examples of 'deadlock' in a sentence
deadlock
The walkout wrecked any chance that the vote could ease the political deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The result came after a period of political deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They claim that negotiations with the government on the reforms have reached deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The two sides have now reached deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was saved after the judges reached a deadlock.
The Sun (2009)
The gaps between the two sides have narrowed considerably after months of deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Indeed, the political deadlock could cause things to worsen.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The format did not work with four judges - whose votes could end in deadlock.
The Sun (2009)
But there is still no united resolve on how to end the deadlock in Libya.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But the negotiations have gone nowhere and reached deadlock on Friday.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We decided to stay, and that sign of weakness guaranteed that the first talks ended in deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The meal ends in deadlock.
The Sun (2011)
Voters are going to the polls again after a December vote resulted in fruitless coalition talks and six months of political deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If the company remains intransigent, you will have reached a deadlock position and the ombudsman will take up the gauntlet on your behalf.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Many of those voting'yes' said they wanted to see an end to political deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
After six months of deadlock since inconclusive polls in December, the country goes to the polls again tomorrow.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Both sides are due to return to Geneva for a second round of talks on Monday after the initial round ended in deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Once deadlock is reached, the only option is to take the matter to court, which is both costly and time consuming.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
An economic blockade was imposed on landlocked Nepal, using the pretext that negotiations over the trade treaty between the two countries had reached deadlock.
Jonathan Gregson BLOOD AGAINST THE SNOWS: The Tragic Story of Nepal's Royal Dynasty (2002)
THE world was still waiting for a new Pope last night - after the first vote ended in deadlock.
The Sun (2013)
So far, investors have remained largely untroubled by the lack of government since inconclusive elections in December that led to six months of political deadlock.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Political deadlock since the country's general election a week ago has undermined investors' slender hopes that a new government can make credible spending cuts.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A default on the debt might follow soon after, according to some experts, if the political deadlock continues.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
HOPES for a deal to stop a sanctions war with Russia collapsed last night as talks in London ended in deadlock.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
deadlock
British English: deadlock NOUN
If a dispute or series of negotiations reaches deadlock, neither side is willing to give in at all and no agreement can be made.
They called for a compromise on all sides to break the deadlock in the world trade talks.
American English: deadlock
Brazilian Portuguese: impasse
Chinese: 僵局
European Spanish: punto muerto
French: impasse
German: Stillstand
Italian: punto morto
Japanese: こう着状態
Korean: 교착 상태
European Portuguese: impasse
Latin American Spanish: punto muerto
1 (noun)
Definition
a point in a dispute at which no agreement can be reached
Peace talks ended in a deadlock last month.
Synonyms
impasse
The company has reached an impasse in negotiations.
stalemate
standstill
halt
Air traffic has been brought to a halt.
cessation
They would not agree to a cessation of hostilities.
gridlock
He agreed that these policies will lead to a gridlock in the future.
standoff
full stop
2 (noun)
Dembele broke the deadlock with a late goal.
Synonyms
tie
The first game ended in a tie.
draw
The game ended in a draw.
stalemate
He said the war had reached a stalemate.
impasse
standstill
gridlock
standoff
dead heat
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cessation
Definition
an ending or pause
They would not agree to a cessation of hostilities.
Synonyms
ceasing,
ending,
break,
halt,
halting,
pause,
suspension,
interruption,
respite,
standstill,
stoppage,
termination,
let-up (informal),
remission,
abeyance,
discontinuance,
stay,
rest
in the sense of draw
Definition
a contest or game ending in a tie
The game ended in a draw.
Synonyms
tie,
deadlock,
stalemate,
impasse,
dead heat
in the sense of gridlock
Definition
a point in a dispute at which no agreement can be reached
He agreed that these policies will lead to a gridlock in the future.