dead heat

noun

Synonyms of dead heatnext
: a tie with no single winner of a race
broadly : tie

Examples of dead heat in a Sentence

the horses crossed the finish line in a dead heat
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Alpha and longshot Golden Ticket finish in a historic dead heat in the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Stitt has endorsed Mazzei in the runoff, but endorsements seem to carry little weight as polls show the two candidates in a dead heat. Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026 American Express Centurion Lounges scored 771, in a dead heat with Capital One Lounge, also with 771 points. Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 This poll is slightly different from the July 28 TPOR poll, which showed Middleton and Johnson in a dead heat — 39% to 38% with 18% undecided. Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead heat

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dead heat was in 1796

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20heat. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

dead heat

noun
: a contest in which two or more competitors tie
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