gridlock 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrid-ˌläk How to pronounce gridlock (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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gridlock

2 of 2

verb

as in to fill

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Dissimilar Words

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
Tired of budget stalemates, deficits and continuous acrimony in the state Capitol, California voters in 2010 started taking action to temper political gridlock and loosen the grip of entrenched special interests. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 But in gridlock emergencies, timely, urgent reports from people baptized in the traffic beat make a large difference. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
Waymo's vehicles contributed to gridlock during storms and widespread power outages in San Francisco last month. — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2026 Waiting until the last minute can lead to gridlock on the road for you and obstruct first responders trying to get to the active fire zone. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gridlock
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gridlock
  1. halt
  2. fill
  3. deadlock
  4. cork
  5. impasse
  6. silt
  7. standstill
  8. pack
Noun
  • The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and the 17 states that sued California over its packaging law aimed at reducing plastic waste filed a request last week for a temporary halt to the rollout of the policy.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Far from transforming the country’s politics, however, this dominance has ground it to a halt.
    — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of halt
Verb
  • Similar to the Army, SAE was filled with young men from all walks of life; every economic background, faith, and ethnicity were represented.
    — Todd Buchanan, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their vehicles are packed with animal triage kits filled with supplies to treat injuries and wounds.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fill
Noun
  • The trial-scheduling order entered by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama marked the latest milestone in a military prosecution beset by two decades of legal deadlock surrounding the four detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
    — Steve Gorman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • After Keira Barry’s free kick attempt hit off the post, Girelli broke the deadlock in the 89th minute, finishing the rebound for the winner.
    — Phuoc Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of deadlock
Verb
  • Web-like striations or corking on jalapeño skins occur when plants are stressed by irregular watering, dry soil, or high heat.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
  • Peppers with smooth skins will be less hot than peppers that display corking.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Definition of cork
Noun
  • But Wolfkiel still worries about how the CDC firings and the impasse over federal funding will affect brain injury research and prevention efforts in the long term.
    — Lydia McFarlane, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That impasse may not hold as younger generations become a force in Thai politics.
    — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of impasse
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
Definition of silt
Noun
  • The merger of the two media companies is at a standstill, but that doesn’t mean that development of superhero franchises at DC is on hold.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The twist throttle is limited to 20 mph, providing another option for getting the heavy bike moving from a standstill.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of standstill
Verb
  • Available in 12 colors, these jeans pack a ton of versatility.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • High-Protein Nuts and Seeds Nuts and seeds are packed with protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals.
    — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of pack

Browse Nearby Words

griddle cakes
gridlock
gridlocked
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Cite this Entry

“Gridlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gridlock. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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