Thesaurus results for TAILBACK

tailback

noun

ˈtāl-ˌbak

Definition of tailback

British

as in jam

a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement stuck in a five-mile tailback on the southbound carriageway

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 tailback Russian assaults since Thursday have forced the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv's six road bridges, suspending traffic and causing tailbacks in the Ukrainian capital. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026 Russian assaults since Thursday have forced the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv’s six road bridges, suspending traffic and causing tailbacks in Moscow’s latest effort to disrupt life in the Ukrainian capital. — Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 The Terrapins did play without their two top tailbacks and finished with just 39 rushing yards. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 Third-string tailback London Montgomery’s 74-yard kickoff return in the third quarter set up a touchdown, while a 41-yarder earlier ignited the scoring drive ending with Clark’s long run. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tailback

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailback

Noun

The Guardians had a runner on first with one out in the third when second baseman Ben Williamson robbed DeLauter of a hit that prevented a first-and-third jam.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Besides her own headlining set, karaoke queen Clarkson is sure to be asked to stick around for the festival’s traditional closing night jam of all-1990s covers.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of jam

Noun

His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
This year’s Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer with closures, travel snarls and record gas prices in California.

— Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of snarl

Browse Nearby Words

tail

tailback

tailbacks

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tailback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailback. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tailback

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zenith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes