Definition of gridlocknext
as in halt
a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in with the White House controlled by one party and Congress by the other, the nation experienced four years of legislative gridlock

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gridlock

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verb

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 gridlock
Noun
Negotiations between the two Eastern European countries have been at a gridlock for over a year at this point, as Russian territorial gains have slowed to a bloody crawl. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 15 June 2026 The shipping gridlock sent the price of oil soaring, impacting virtually everyone on the planet, including Americans who continue to face elevated prices at the pump. Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Verb
While the state Assembly derailed that initial plan, forfeiting the grant, the push for a practical remedy to gridlock never died. Dj Gribbin, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025 Waymo's vehicles contributed to gridlock during storms and widespread power outages in San Francisco last month. Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gridlock
Noun
  • Gulf primary bond issuance came to an abrupt halt in the wake of the conflict, with corporate and sovereign bond yields jumping as geopolitical tensions escalated.
    Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Wrangling my emotions became the difference between sputtering to a halt and moving forward.
    Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Rather than designing a luxury escape filled with domestic gadgets, the architects have shaped a home that encourages slowing down and reconnecting with nature.
    Bridget Borgobello July 03, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
  • Through the risk of lightning, sticky humidity and a winding line filled with thousands of chanting fans, Argentine fans flooded Bayfront Park with a sea of blue jerseys.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • Balogun’s fancy footwork broke a scoreless deadlock 45 minutes into the action, booting a left-footed shot through the goalie’s outstretched legs.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • And finally, in the 71st minute, the Netherlands has broken the scoreless deadlock after a wild run that ended with Cody Gakpo's score.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Carlin Karr, director of wine and beverage at Stuckey’s restaurants — including Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-winning Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder — believes roughly 1 in 10 wine bottles are off in taste, or corked.
    Jeremy Harlan, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
  • Public opposition to the fee helped cork the proposal.
    Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • The conflicts, including a marathon 15-day impasse with Disney, stemmed from YouTube TV‘s steady growth into a dominant pay-TV operator just nine years after its debut.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • Speaker Mike Johnson is meeting with the president today amid the legislative impasse.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • But the estuary, which had been silting up since the 11th century, had different ideas.
    Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The rock was originally silt on the seafloor that, it's argued, hosted early microbial life that was buried by more silt, leaving the carbon as their remains.
    Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Amid a Republican rebellion to tighten voting restrictions, the House of Representatives is at a standstill, unable to pass key pieces of legislation that keep Americans safe and the government's wheels turning.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Auto traffic on the Intercity Viaduct (today’s Lewis and Clark Viaduct) jammed and came to a standstill.
    Kansas City Public Library staff, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • It's packed with efficacious skin care ingredients to smooth and firm mature complexions.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 6 July 2026
  • England adjusted its strategy to protect its lead, packing the front of goal.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gridlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gridlock. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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