1
as in snarl
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement
thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium's parking lot at the same time are sure to create a jam
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in pickle
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the heavy rain puts us in a real jam: all of the preparations are for a garden wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
firefighters found the nightclub's doorways jammed with trapped patrons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fill
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
the inn will jam a guest's picnic basket with an array of tempting foods
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jam
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Lay half of strips lengthwise over jam mixture, spacing evenly, then arrange remaining strips crosswise across, working alternately over and under lengthwise strips to create a lattice pattern (leave barely any space between strips so top is completely covered).
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
With the surprise amendment vote on Thursday, lawmakers in the House are effectively jamming the Senate by including the repeal of the controversial provision in a spending package that the House is expected to pass and send over to the upper chamber.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jam
Noun
Dollop some jam or hummus in the center to finish the look.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
Lay half of strips lengthwise over jam mixture, spacing evenly, then arrange remaining strips crosswise across, working alternately over and under lengthwise strips to create a lattice pattern (leave barely any space between strips so top is completely covered).
—Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Now everybody that goes to high school is bringing their guitars, jamming out at lunch.
—Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
With the surprise amendment vote on Thursday, lawmakers in the House are effectively jamming the Senate by including the repeal of the controversial provision in a spending package that the House is expected to pass and send over to the upper chamber.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jam
Noun
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Oklahomans are bracing for what could be the most impactful storm of winter, set to bring a combination of snow, ice and frigid weather, which forecasters warn could knock out power and snarl travel for days as freezing temperatures persist.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
22 Jan. 2026
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At the same time, frequent policy changes that deepen unease can discourage investment and snarl planning.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The resort also has a gorgeous, airy gym with those same views of the volcano, tennis and pickle-ball courts, and solid ocean programming that includes sunrise paddles in the resort’s outrigger canoe, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and diving.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
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Serve it with or without a bun plus your favorite toppings like pickles, slaw, and extra sauce.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even the hospitality of sending food home with them was taken away from me, as their refrigerator and freezer was stuffed from their prior parties.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
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On Blue Moon, Big Blue’s new 53-foot catamaran, the hold was stuffed with bottles of Moët.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Thousands of protesters met in front of City Hall in the afternoon, before many marched to the federal detention center, where a mob of violent agitators swarmed the area, pushing a large construction dumpster and blocking the entrance to the building's loading dock.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Much of the group later dispersed after they were threatened with arrest by local law enforcement for blocking the road.—
KIMBERLEE KRUESI,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In Fort Worth, Auberge Resorts Collection recently debuted Bowie House, filled with more than 700 works of art from the owner’s private collection.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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In Spanish Harlem there was always a clutter of folk standing on the sidewalk, watching and paying witness to days filled with mayhem.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The agent shoves the observer again, and then turns his attention to Pretti, pushing him out of the way before shoving the observer to the ground.—
Yahya Abou-Ghazala,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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How the producers aren’t manipulative gods, but brilliant storytellers, animated by their own needs and insecurities, who sometimes push too hard in their quest to alchemize real people into three-act structure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And as advanced economies struggle with aging grids, slow permitting, and regulatory congestion, India is positioning itself as the scaling ground where the next wave of AI infrastructure gets built.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Traders should jump the gun a bit on risk management and use $65 as a pivot - the old congestion levels from the fall.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Pay attention, however, and the connection between Mary and Boo becomes more tender as their dilemma deepens, as does the relationship between Mary and her well-meaning, if totally embarrassing, mom.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
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This feels like an apt dilemma to invoke while critiquing a book about an editor.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jam. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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