gridlocked

1 of 2

adjective

grid·​locked ˈgrid-ˌläkt How to pronounce gridlocked (audio)
Synonyms of gridlockednext
: affected by gridlock : brought to a state in which movement or progress is stopped completely
gridlocked streets
a gridlocked legislature
The Phoenix of 1996 has terrible air, gridlocked traffic, and spreads out in so many directions that it seems to lack any sense of order.—Timothy Egan
… the notion of an incompetent, gridlocked government is still embedded in the national consciousness.—Andrew Sullivan

gridlocked

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of gridlock entry 2

Examples of gridlocked in a Sentence

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Adjective
With its gridlocked terminals, infuriating delays and long lines for everything from security checks to coffee, LAX might be where patience goes to die. — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 If that attempt fails as well, and the Knesset remains gridlocked, the president can dissolve the Knesset, with new elections taking place within 90 days. — Matt Bradley, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026 Drivers frequently make sudden U-turns, blind lane changes around large commercial vehicles, or hurried turns across gridlocked traffic streams to access side streets. — Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 23 July 2026 Despite gridlocked traffic near the first two closure scenes in southwest Atlanta and some miscommunication and misdirection with trucks using side streets, Atlanta has braced itself handily so far. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gridlocked

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gridlocked was in 1980

Rhymes for gridlocked

See All Rhymes for gridlocked

Browse Nearby Words

gridlock
gridlocked
grid man
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Cite this Entry

“Gridlocked.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gridlocked. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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