dead heat

noun

Definition of dead heatnext
as in tie
a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other the horses crossed the finish line in a dead heat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dead heat The race is a dead heat, according to the AJC poll, David Wickert reports. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 The race has been a dead heat, with Democratic nominee Troy Jackson leading by just 2 points in a recent Suffolk University poll. — Eric Levitz, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 Texas’ statewide elections are in dead heat in the lead up to early voting, according to a new poll from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Rogers is locked in a dead heat with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead heat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead heat
  1. tie
  2. draw
Noun
  • The Wednesday announcement by Sanrio’s Chinese subsidiary came just after French soccer star Kylian Mbappé apologized for remarks about late Chinese leader Mao Zedong that saw several Chinese sponsors cut ties with him.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • An organization with Republican ties has distributed fliers promoting a socialist candidate, an apparent effort to pull support away from Brown.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • With the draw, Inter Miami fell into third place behind the New England Revolution.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • His most recent appearance under Nuno was the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at home against Leeds United, on penalties after a 2-2 draw, in April.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of draw

Browse Nearby Words

deadheads
dead heat
dead heats
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Cite this Entry

“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20heat. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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