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
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Recent Examples of bottleneck
Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2026
This is the most significant and high-stakes bottleneck for the commercial adoption of perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2025
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
This freight bottleneck is a thing of the past.
—Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2026
This is the most significant and high-stakes bottleneck for the commercial adoption of perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Verb
The executive order cites a Nov. 21 power outage at the unnamed facility which continues to operate intermittently, which bottlenecks fuel deliveries across the region.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2025
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 goal, according to Western analysts, was to listen in on or potentially jam signals relayed through these satellites, some of which route secure communications for US and NATO military forces.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
-
Wilson fanned the last batter to get out of the jam and finish with at least one strikeout in every inning.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
There is no guarantee their rebuild will take a linear upward trajectory.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
9 May 2026
-
The company already offers measurement of outcomes and has been working to incorporate those efforts into Nielsen One, the system currently used to determine viewership of TV programs across linear and digital screens.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asked experts to study what happened at the Edenville and Sanford dams.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Then, about 20,000 years ago the Laurentide continental glacier moved into the area, pushing rocks, soil, and other debris, eventually damming Pine Creek and forming an expansive lake.—
Anthony Fredericks,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One goal of the project is to ease congestion.—
Eva Flowe
May 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Meth has traditionally been made from ephedrine and pseudoephedrine — substances that can be found in over-the-counter cold medications that address nasal congestion and runny noses, said Terry Church, director of the Institute for Addiction Sciences Education Committee at USC.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Emergency vehicles were unable to quickly reach the incident because nearby streets were clogged with crowds and vehicles.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The combination of a sunscreen that is formulated with heavy, pore-clogging ingredients mixed with oil, makeup, dirt, and dead skin cells can cause blockages in your pores, which can result in the formation of acne.—
Abby Dupes,
StyleCaster,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Those struggles from deep, specifically Clark’s, are not going to hinder them all season.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
Officials say that bright sunlight hindering the driver's vision could be a possible contributing factor.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are global geopolitical events showing up in fabric costs, freight surcharges, and compressed margins.—
Catherine Nekavand,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
-
Faster flight testing The compressed schedule stands out in a major military aviation program.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The affidavit states that Dunmars parked in front of Hayes’ vehicle, partially blocking her path, before a physical fight allegedly broke out involving Dunmars’ daughter and two of Hayes’ daughters.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
The big guy in the doorway stretched out his arms, his hands gripping both sides of the knotty pine planks on either side of the door frame, his body filling the space, blocking our way out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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