deadlock

Definitions

A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible.

A state in computing where two or more processes are unable to proceed because each is waiting for the other to release a resource.

A lock that can only be opened by a key from both sides or that has no handle on the outside.

Examples

The negotiations reached a deadlock when neither side was willing to compromise on the budget.

A software deadlock occurred because two processes were waiting for resources held by each other.

The traffic came to a complete deadlock after the accident blocked all four lanes of the highway.

Synonyms

stalemate impasse gridlock standoff dead end bottleneck checkmate

Antonyms

breakthrough progress solution resolution agreement advance movement