bottleneck 1 of 3

noun

Definition of bottlenecknext
as in jam
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement a bottleneck inevitably forms at the start of a construction zone when the highway narrows from three to two lanes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bottleneck

2 of 3

adjective

as in linear

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

bottleneck

3 of 3

verb

as in to dam

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of bottleneck
Noun
The effort also targets a long-standing weakness in the domestic industrial base, where defense officials have repeatedly identified precision cast components as a production bottleneck for military propulsion programs. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026 Huge amount of bottlenecks in the electrical equipment world. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Verb
The demand for slots skyrocketed and the auction prices ballooned in recent weeks as a standoff between the Iran and the United States over access to the strait kept traffic bottlenecked. — Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026 Yet, sparse computations on the CPU are often bottlenecked by the indirect lookups used to find nonzero data. — Olivia Hsu, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottleneck
  1. jam
  2. linear
  3. dam
  4. congestion
  5. compressed
  6. clog
  7. tight
  8. hinder
Noun
  • Whether topped with butter and jam, layered with peanut butter, crowned with avocado and eggs or transformed into a hearty breakfast sandwich, this humble bread has become a staple in kitchens across the country.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • While the traditional Swedish version, called a prinsesstårta, typically features a layer of raspberry jam and a bright green marzipan coating, Sant Ambroeus’ iteration is respectfully remixed for a more metropolitan crowd.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of jam
Adjective
  • To survive, leadership must abandon the assumption that an audience will experience a campaign in a perfect, linear sequence.
    — Stefano Marrone, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The dark leather boots had a futuristic aura to them, with linear detailing and a wide knee-high shaft.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of linear
Verb
  • And although bipartisan Congressional efforts have pushed back on some of the deepest cuts, damage was still done, damming the flow of funding, halting experiments, delaying new research, and impeding the work of scientists worldwide.
    — Eric Schmidt, Time, 16 July 2026
  • The mighty Colorado River — that carved the Grand Canyon and was dammed by the epic Hoover Dam — is in big trouble.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of dam
Noun
  • Another key project is the $410 million expansion of the Muscat Expressway, designed to ease traffic congestion and support the capital’s ongoing urban development.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Pricing is one mechanism used to balance that system to maintain free flowing traffic even when congestion is high.
    — Japjeev Kohli, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of congestion
Adjective
  • That meant one endless season after another, flowing into compressed offseasons, disadvantageous end-of-round draft statures and the ever-arduous schedule that the NFL formula assigns division winners.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • As the compressed sides bulge outward under load, the tower’s structural strength drops sharply, frequently triggering sudden buckling or catastrophic collapse.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Definition of compressed
Verb
  • With traditional exits clogged, firms resort to continuation vehicles to create liquidity, and LPs are demanding actual cash returns (DPI).
    — Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Their active roster is predominantly right-handed, which clogs up some of the lineup decisions for Roberts.
    — Katie Woo, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of clog
Adjective
  • With patience and selectivity, a tight budget can still open up the universe.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Small prey, with smaller bodies, can make abrupt, tight turns.
    — Rachel Sargent Mirus, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of tight
Verb
  • Avoiding represented talent or hindering communication only exacerbates the issue.
    — Chris Ryan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Aid organizations have said that community mistrust, insecurity due to armed conflict, and gaps in healthcare have hindered response and containment efforts.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of hinder

Browse Nearby Words

bottle-feeds
bottleneck
bottlenecked
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Cite this Entry

“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of bottleneck for Spanish Speakers

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