BOTTLENECKS Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

bottlenecks 1 of 2

noun

plural of bottleneck

as in jams

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

bottlenecks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of bottleneck

as in snags

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 bottlenecks

Noun

In the event of a severe winter or import bottlenecks, depressed storage levels not only narrow Europe's capacity to absorb supply shocks but also risk driving natural gas prices higher. — CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 Yet much of the current inflation comes from supply shocks, such as the Iran war’s disruption to oil and gas supplies, and higher interest rates can’t address those bottlenecks. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Yet much of the current inflation comes from supply shocks, such as the Iran war's disruption to oil and gas supplies, and higher interest rates can't address those bottlenecks. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Winter Springs must document resident complaints and work directly with Seminole County, FDOT, Oviedo and MetroPlan Orlando to address Slavia Road and other regional bottlenecks. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 The breakthrough tackles a major quantum computing challenge by connecting different hardware systems without creating communication bottlenecks. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 Olson is concerned about traffic causing bottlenecks and other issues. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 To cut the flow would only add to the bottlenecks that the wars have created. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 Case mix, payer mix, collections and operational bottlenecks can all influence the outcome. — Ajay Prasad, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottlenecks

Noun

Contemporary jazz saxophonist Braxton Cooke will open, and undoubtedly find his way back on stage for a few jams.

— Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Its brands include Folgers coffee, Jif peanut butter and Smucker's jams and jellies.

— Michelle Fox, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of jams

Verb

Some Arizona executions had snags When Strada was in Arizona, that state in 2022 resumed executions after a nearly eight-year break, following criticism about an execution that took about two hours as well as difficulties obtaining certain drugs.

— Ed White, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026
In the book, when Hig tries to land there, a trip wire almost snags the Cessna and pulls them down to their deaths in a crash.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of snags

Verb

In this group, only 3% died of breast cancer after six years, and about 91% had their tumors controlled with primary endocrine therapy, which blocks estrogen receptors on ER+ breast cancer to prevent its growth.

— Allessandra DiCorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
The preliminary injunction blocks the government from enforcing the regulation against the affected class of immigrants while the case proceeds.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of blocks

Verb

Diagnosed at age 3 with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that clogs the lungs with sticky mucus, Smith grew up with doctors expecting a cure to arrive in time to save her.

— Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
The fine powder clogs their digestive systems and prevents them from eating plants.

— Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of clogs

Verb

The novel’s conceit stems in part from my attempt to grapple with my family’s and my own trauma and what constitutes truth.

— Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
After cutting open both stems and swapping the batteries between earbuds, iFixit noticed the buds could no longer be charged.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of stems

Verb

The sheriff said vehicles parked in a way that impedes traffic will be towed at the owner's expense.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Typically, PAs are putting in 60-hour workweeks, and their duties can include everything from running errands to cleaning up messes to managing the general public when filming takes place in a location and impedes foot or car traffic.

— Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of impedes

Browse Nearby Words

bottlenecking

bottlenecks

bottles

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Bottlenecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottlenecks. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of bottlenecks

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

outlandish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes