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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bottleneck
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
The enormous amount of money flowing across Noem’s desk led to complaints of bottlenecks and worsening bureaucracy, and raised suspicions that Lewandowski was grifting off the contracts.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Given their constraints, the most plausible near-term roles are simple, repetitive, or hazardous tasks in structured spaces, moving totes, staging parts, and monitoring routine operations, where their slower pace or limited dexterity won’t bottleneck the entire line.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Noun
That bottleneck problem is materializing across corporate America — and the root cause isn’t technology.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
The enormous amount of money flowing across Noem’s desk led to complaints of bottlenecks and worsening bureaucracy, and raised suspicions that Lewandowski was grifting off the contracts.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
The real-world difference is how snappy everything feels when your storage doesn’t bottleneck your system.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Given their constraints, the most plausible near-term roles are simple, repetitive, or hazardous tasks in structured spaces, moving totes, staging parts, and monitoring routine operations, where their slower pace or limited dexterity won’t bottleneck the entire line.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottleneck
Noun
-
Karla Brustad has put on sing-alongs, strum alongs, hootenannies and all sorts of free community jams, getting folks singing and playing the ukulele.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In the season opener against Lemont, Sokolnicki entered the game with two runners on base and no outs in the top of the seventh inning and worked his way out of the jam with just three pitches.—
Bobby Narang,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Riachi created the custom travertine fireplace with a walnut surround, puncturing it with vertical openings and linear alabaster wall sconces to echo the screens in the entrance hall.—
Amy Bradford,
Architectural Digest,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The very region embroiled in this war reveals that there is not a linear shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources.—
Ezgi Canpolat,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to the Lake Garda Improvement Association, in the 1920s Harry Battistoni bought small farms along the Burlington/Farmington border, dammed up a small brook, and created Lake Garda.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Tenuously held back by moraines – the jumble of rock and sediment deposited by glaciers at their edges – or dammed by glacier ice, these lakes are anything but stable.—
Dan McGrath,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The new school sits beside Star Middle School on Pollard Lane, something that has raised concerns from nearby residents about traffic congestion.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Located in the town of Jewar, about 50 miles southeast of New Delhi, officials hope that Noida will help alleviate the congestion at Indira Gandhi International.—
Aishwarya S Iyer,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Leafguard warranty explained Leafguard has one of the strongest warranty packages in the gutter guard industry, which, most notably, includes a lifetime guarantee that your new gutters won’t clog.—
Dan Simms,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Tired of dealing with hair clogging your tub and shower drain?—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Noem's contract review policy disproportionately hindered FEMA, which awards massive contracts and funds disaster aid projects that frequently exceed $100,000.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The proposal reflects broader concerns Republicans have about regulation and permitting hindering economic development, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained during a speech at the Hill and Valley Forum on Wednesday.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tanenbaum also questioned Duckett's other claim that challenged the constitutionality of the death warrant signed by DeSantis and set a compressed schedule for post-conviction proceedings.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The compressed schedule due to the 2026 Winter Olympics, combined with Colorado being an older club still trying to fend off the Dallas Stars for the top spot in the Western Conference, has meant the Avs are trying to rest as much as possible.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The undrafted rookie blocked two shots in the final seconds to help the Sacramento Kings hold on for a 117-113 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans before a crowd of 15,422 at Golden 1 Center.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The strait has effectively blocked by Iran since the start of the war.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
