Synonyms of tailback

tailback

noun

ˈtāl-ˌbak 

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

• jam
• congestion
• bottleneck
• snarl
• backup
• jam-up
• logjam
• traffic
• tangle
• gridlock
• delay
• lock
• tie-up
• stoppage
• slowdown
• crawl

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tailback

While Chesney said that the injury is nothing overly serious and that the tailback could have returned to the game, the coaching staff decided to keep him sidelined as a precaution. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Kyle Louis, a 2026 draftee Miami converted from linebacker to safety during the exhibition season, returned from injured reserve this week, and could potentially fill one of Gay’s roles, handing tight end and tailback coverage. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026

The 26-year-old, 6-foot-1, 210-pound tailback is now the fourth-leading rusher in Carolina Panthers franchise history with 4,112 yards, recently surpassing his mentor Christian McCaffrey, who notched 3,980 rushing yards with the Panthers. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026

Georgia is particularly thin at the tailback position, down three scholarship players since the end of spring drills. — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026