Definition of tailbacknext
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

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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 The 27-year-old tailback was the Broncos’ offensive MVP over the first 10 weeks of a wild, wacky 2025. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 June 2026 Ewers completed a 30 yard pass to rookie tailback Donovan Edwards that had the possibility of producing a score with better blocking. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026 The Pro Bowl tailback faces five charges, including a felony count of strangulation and suffocation, along with misdemeanor counts of battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim. Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026 At the time, USC had 18 Black players on its roster, including at the crucial quarterback and tailback positions—no small thing, in an era when the prevailing stereotype dictated that Black players weren’t smart enough or good-enough leaders to play quarterback. Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tailback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailback
Noun
  • Dallas is in a difficult salary-cap jam — sitting a little more than $1 million over the limit after this signing — and getting Robertson signed to a long-term commitment would have meant a higher cap hit and cuts elsewhere.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Mederos, a right-hander, came on with two outs and the tying run on third and got out of that jam.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • But Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton both slid into the paint as well, not doubling to the point of leaving their shooters open, but creating congestion.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Road use would be charged for every square-foot-second used, at a rate which varies based on levels of congestion on the roads.
    Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Noun
  • The deal comes as increasingly powerful computing systems push chipmakers to find new ways to combine processors, memory and other components while keeping power consumption and data-transfer bottlenecks under control.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
  • Boosted connectivity would solve the robotics bottlenecks of weight and battery life.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026
Noun
  • Someone like Mason Marchment — who can score and play with snarl — could be a multi-year option, but giving out long-term deals to free agents in their 30s is risky, especially considering the current state of the Rangers.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • Downtown traffic is a snarl and parking isn’t easy even on routine days.
    Howard Cohen June 24, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tailback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailback. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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