gridlock
Intersection traffic paralysis
Gridlock is a traffic jam so severe that vehicles cannot move in any direction—the grid of streets locked in mutual obstruction.
The term extends to any situation where opposing forces create complete paralysis: Congressional gridlock prevented any legislation from passing.
Political gridlock has become the dominant use, describing government unable to act because factions block each other.
Cooked fruit spread
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- bumper-to-bumperVehicles packed without gaps
- tailbackCongested vehicle queue
snarl-up · backup · rush-hour · crawl · standstill · blockage · chokepoint · logjam
Situation without resolution
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- logjamObstruction halting flow
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
partisan · bipartisan · legislature · parliament · veto · obstruction · negotiation · compromise
Loss of muscle function
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- haltComplete sudden stop
stuck · stationary · motionless · inertia · stasis · blockade · trapped · marooned
Constriction limiting throughput
- logjamObstruction halting flow
- clogBlock or wooden shoe
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- constipationDifficult, infrequent waste elimination
arterial · sclerosis · clot · choke · stranglehold · backup · overflow · saturated
Intense weary annoyance
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
- annoyanceState of being bothered
- aggravationState of being vexed
honking · stress · delay · lateness · fuming · seething · cursing · vexation
jam
Cooked fruit spread
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- bumper-to-bumperVehicles packed without gaps
tailback · snarl-up · backup · rush-hour · crawl · standstill · blockage · chokepoint · logjam · overload
impasse
Situation without resolution
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- logjamObstruction halting flow
filibuster · partisan · bipartisan · legislature · parliament · veto · obstruction · negotiation · compromise · shutdown
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- freezeBecome solid from cold
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
halt · stuck · stationary · motionless · inertia · stasis · blockade · trapped · marooned · stranded
bottleneck
Constriction limiting throughput
constipation · arterial · sclerosis · clot · choke · stranglehold · backup · overflow · saturated · capacity
exasperation
Intense weary annoyance
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
- annoyanceState of being bothered
aggravation · honking · stress · delay · lateness · fuming · seething · cursing · vexation · agitation
- traffictraffic jam, congestion, traffic, traffic congestion, bumper to bumper
- transportation issuestraffic congestion, traffic jams, congestion, road safety, traffic safety
- futilityfutile, futility, in vain, pointlessness, vain
- obstructionobstruction, delay, roadblock, blockade, barricade
- traffic studiestraffic volume, traffic flow, traffic patterns, traffic density, travel time
- Citycity, town, downtown, midtown, suburb
gridlockfree flow
Unhindered continuous movement
open road · light traffic · green lights · cruising · journey
gridlockprogress
Movement toward improvement
advancement · headway · momentum · furtherance · breakthrough
gridlockbipartisanship
Cooperation between political rivals
cooperation · consensus · compromise · collaboration · agreement
- partisan gridlockGovernance halted by factions