tiebreaker

Settles the stalemate

A tiebreaker is a method for determining a winner when competitors are tied.

In tennis, a tiebreaker is a special game played when sets are tied at six games each.

More broadly, any deciding factor can be called a tiebreaker: The candidate's experience was the tiebreaker.

Also spelled tie-breaker.

resolution

decisive

Quick to conclude

settleReach final terms
resolveFirmness of purpose
determineEstablish through investigation

outcome · clincher · decider · winner-take-all · golden goal · penalty shootout · final round · elimination · knockout · casting vote

deadlock

stalemate

Mutual obstruction preventing progress

impasseSituation without resolution
standstillTotal cessation of movement
gridlockComplete mutual obstruction

draw · deadlock · standoff · logjam · dead heat · parity · equipoise · hung jury · split decision · even score

arbiter

referee

Sports rule enforcer

umpireSports match official
judgeOne who decides
adjudicatorOne rendering formal decisions

arbitrator · mediator · official · third party · neutral party · authority · ruling · judgment · call · decision-maker

Categories

competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
archeryarrow, bow, bows, arrows, archer
game mechanicslevels, rules, cooldown, points, health points
Jeopardy!Alex Trebek, Ken Jennings, Daily Double, Final Jeopardy, Double Jeopardy
racket sportsserve, volley, forehand, backhand, doubles
sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf

Opposites

decisiveness

tiebreakertie

Equal score, or neckwear

deadlock · stalemate · draw · dead heat · impasse

game structure

tiebreakerregulation

Official rules governing conduct

normal time · regular season · group stage · preliminary round · qualifying round

Family

tiebreak, tiebreakers, tiebreaks

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G