dead-end

1 of 3

adjective

ˈded-ˌend 

1

a

: lacking opportunities especially for advancement

a dead-end job

b

: lacking an exit

a dead-end street

2

: unruly

dead-end kids

dead-endedness

ˌded-ˈen-dəd-nəs 

noun

dead-end

2 of 3

verb

ˈded-ˈend 

dead-ended; dead-ending; dead-ends

intransitive verb

: to come to a dead end : terminate

the road dead-ends at the lake

the investigation dead-ended

dead end

3 of 3

noun

ˈded-ˈend 

1

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

2

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

Synonyms

Verb

• break off
• break up
• cease
• close
• conclude
• determine
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• end
• expire
• finish
• go
• halt
• lapse
• leave off
• let up
• pass
• quit
• stop
• terminate
• wind up
• wink (out)

Examples of dead-end in a Sentence

Verb

after several fruitless years, the research seems to have simply dead-ended

Noun

We came to a dead end and had to turn around.

My career has hit a dead end.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Vaughn plays Joe, a single man in a dead-end job whose mother has spoiled him with her cooking. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2024

One evening this past spring, a varied collection of individuals assembled on a dead-end street in Queens, dressed to the nines. —Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024

Verb

Where any normal car would need a three-point turn (down yet another dead-end Camden side street, for instance), the taxi simply spins around and goes. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2023

Commissioner Andrew Brink said without a street connection to the east, the roundabout effectively will dead-end within the development. —Stacy Ryburn, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2023

Noun

Leaving no stone unturned, Fran also took the difficult step of contacting the hospital's morgue, but hit yet another dead end. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 30 July 2024

Some of these may lead to dead ends, but a variety of techniques are likely to lead to finding your keys. —Shalinee Sharma, TIME, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1944, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dead-end

1 of 2 adjective

ˌded-ˌend

1

a

: having no opportunities for advancement

a dead-end job

b

: lacking an exit

dead-end street

2

: unruly

dead-end kids

dead end

2 of 2 noun

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