dead-end

adjective

\ ˈded-ˌend

Definition of dead-end

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : lacking opportunities especially for advancement a dead-end job

b : lacking an exit a dead-end street

2 : unruly dead-end kids

dead-end

verb

\ ˈded-ˈend

dead-ended; dead-ending; dead-ends

Definition of dead-end (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to come to a dead end : terminate the road dead-ends at the lake the investigation dead-ended

dead end

noun

\ ˈded-ˈend

Definition of dead end (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : an end (as of a street) without an exit

2 : a position, situation, or course of action that leads to nothing further

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Examples of dead-end in a Sentence

Noun

We came to a dead end and had to turn around. My career has hit a dead end.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

California can be a refuge, but can also be a dead end. — Rachel Syme, The New Republic, "Big Little Lies Gets Tough," 28 June 2019 Some outside scientists disagree with Pfizer's assessment that studying Enbrel's potential in Alzheimer's prevention is a scientific dead end. — Author: Christopher Rowland, Anchorage Daily News, "Pfizer had clues its blockbuster drug could prevent Alzheimer’s. Why didn’t it tell the world?," 5 June 2019 Now Eisenberg’s thinking of recruiting others to tackle the city’s roads to nowhere — by leading a Sierra Club walk expressly dedicated to the dead ends. — Lila Seidman, Glendale News-Press, "Newly minted septuagenarian sets out to walk every street in Glendale," 16 July 2019 The 'tomb of the angel' search for a teen missing since 1983 hit a dead end at the Vatican. — Petra Cahill, NBC News, "Census citizenship question, Iran tensions & teachers working overtime: The Morning Rundown," 11 July 2019 The Secret Service and Gilford police tailed him until Vallee hit a dead end. — Stephanie Clifford, WIRED, "He Cyberstalked Teen Girls for Years—Then They Fought Back," 24 June 2019 The four bills are headed for a dead end just as GOP lawmakers enter the final stages of writing a state budget that dramatically differs from Evers' spending plans. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Senate sends Gov. Tony Evers abortion legislation he has promised to veto," 5 June 2019 Such rulings do not mean that the Trump administration’s efforts have reached a dead end. — Robert Pear, New York Times, "A Fatal Flaw as Trump Tries to Remake Health Care: Shortcuts," 7 July 2018 My search for him felt like a maze, every turn a dead end. — Ted Jackson, NOLA.com, "The search for Jackie Wallace," 3 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dead-end.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for dead-end

dead end

noun

English Language Learners Definition of dead end

: a street that ends instead of joining with another street so that there is only one way in and out of it

: a situation, plan, or way of doing something that leads to nothing further

See the full definition for dead end in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dead end

noun

Kids Definition of dead end

: an end (as of a street) with no way out

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dead-end

Definition of dead-end

Other Words from dead-end

Synonyms & Antonyms for dead-end

Examples of dead-end in a Sentence

First Known Use of dead-end

English Language Learners Definition of dead end

Kids Definition of dead end

dead-end

Definition of dead-end

Other Words from dead-end

Synonyms & Antonyms for dead-end

Examples of dead-end in a Sentence

First Known Use of dead-end

English Language Learners Definition of dead end

Kids Definition of dead end

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