BOTTLENECK Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

bottleneck 1 of 3

noun

Definition of bottleneck

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

In ancient legend, 300 Spartan warriors held the narrow pass at Thermopylae against a vast, overwhelming force, relying on a critical bottleneck to offset impossible odds. — Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Analysts said memory remains a key bottleneck and maintained their buy ratings. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Aug. 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

Noun

But in reality, the carving occurs in fits and spurts, when floods carry huge boulders that gouge out streambeds and jam cobbles into the bedrock.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
Everything is made in-house, from the syrups down to the jam.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of jam

Adjective

The linear arrangement of bases in the DNA gets directly translated into the linear sequence of amino acids that make up a protein.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
Netflix has separated itself from the rest of the streaming- and linear-television pack in Nason’s and Gasparo’s genre of choice.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of linear

Verb

One theory is that the rock and ice briefly dammed the valley, allowing water to back up in the river.

— Umesh Haritashya, The Conversation, 29 Aug. 2026
Rescue efforts were still ramping up Friday when a swollen glacial lake in the mountains upstream from the affected area, dammed up by debris and filling with meltwater, raised concerns of a possible new inundation looming.

— Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dam

Noun

New restaurants and retail shops in the development, besides more residents, would also increase congestion on an already major north-south thoroughfare, according to those opposed to the project.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026
Schumann adds that guests absorbed in their phones while walking around the ship are often less aware of their surroundings, creating unnecessary congestion and even safety concerns.

— Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of congestion

Adjective

Due to brass shortages, some knives had to be made with wooden handles, out of compressed leather washers, or bakelite plastic.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
The states also warned that implementing the changes on a compressed timeline could disrupt election preparations and risk disenfranchising eligible voters.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of compressed

Verb

Videos posted on social media showed the intakes for that new system as having been clogged with sediment and the bridges that held new pipes as having been washed away.

— Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
In Long Beach, crews have stepped up efforts to maintain storm drains, seeking to keep them from getting clogged up during storms, said Todd Leland, the city’s marine bureau manager.

— Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of clog

Adjective

Dow stood with three tattooed and shirtless jumpers, weaving white paracord through hooks in the canvas and cinching it tight.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Given the tight timeframe before the election, Sher is seeking both temporary relief and an interim injunction in the petition to ensure eligible citizens are not disenfranchised while bureaucratic procedures are reviewed.

— Natasha Mozgovaya, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of tight

Verb

That means making choices that support fertility, not hinder it — like getting regular exercise or cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol.

— Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Dodson and Rodriguez had been competing for the starting spot opposite Brooks, but injuries to that unit had watered down the competition and hindered the evaluation process.

— Omar Kelly August 26, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of hinder

Browse Nearby Words

bottle-feeds

bottleneck

bottlenecked

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of bottleneck

noun

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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