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
Relevance
as in linear
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in to dam
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of bottleneck
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Under the previous setup, customers would order at the counter and then wait there for their food, often creating a bottleneck for people trying to buy gas station essentials like chips, beer or a lottery ticket.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026
Alma Solís, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The real-world difference is how snappy everything feels when your storage doesn’t bottleneck your system.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Noun
The expansion followed numerous complaints from American shippers in the wake of global supply chain bottlenecks throughout 2021 and 2022, who had alleged that container shipping companies were bypassing them for service and charging them excessive late fees.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Under the previous setup, customers would order at the counter and then wait there for their food, often creating a bottleneck for people trying to buy gas station essentials like chips, beer or a lottery ticket.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 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
The real-world difference is how snappy everything feels when your storage doesn’t bottleneck your system.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottleneck
Noun
-
The senior escaped several jams to toss a five-hitter with 12 strikeouts to lead JSerra past La Mirada 3-2 for its first section title.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Pizza is already savory, so balance out all that salt with a drizzle of balsamic glaze or spoonfuls of fig jam.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
While their love story has not been linear, taking breaks on and off over the last two decades, the two are now engaged and set to be married in September.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
But progress has been difficult and non-linear.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
The water, too, was wild—the Allegheny and its tributaries had yet to be dammed, and Flag Swamp was noted as one of the last hideouts for beavers in the state.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Morris grew up along the White River (a portion of which was dammed to create today’s Table Rock Lake) in the Ozarks, where fishing wasn’t just a pastime but a way of life.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The Bay Area Host Committee urges drivers to plan for extra time and heavy congestion before and after matches.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
Skin lacking vitamin A gets dry, rough, and more prone to congestion.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
Unlike many recent Olympic hosts that faced compressed planning timelines, LA28 has benefited from a longer preparation runway.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Workflow Load and Cognitive Strain Pharmacy professionals manage verification, patient counseling, insurance adjudication, and regulatory documentation within compressed timeframes.—
Ethan Stone
June 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Regular cleaning will help keep them from clogging and prolong their life.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
-
But that would be risky because a new deal could clog Miami’s cap, eliminating potential max salary cap space next summer unless Miami can find a taker for Jovic’s extension.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
The 7th Assembly District produced one of the region’s tightest races.—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
-
Pelvic floor disorders can occur when these muscles and tissues are too weak or too tight or don’t facilitate the proper functioning of these organs for other reasons.—
Stacey Colino,
Time,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
With the front line barely moving as swarms of drones hinder advances, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range strikes.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
-
Injuries have hindered the 27-year-old Frasso’s development.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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