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
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Recent Examples of bottlenecks
Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, crude prices remain elevated amid lingering supply concerns tied to Middle East supply bottlenecks.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertilizer prices, together with transport bottlenecks, will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Data readiness, security, integrations, workflow redesign, and building human skills remain stubborn bottlenecks for true AI implementation.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Squeezing through ‘pinch points’ Our model showed that the squirrel’s best habitat persists in a network of pinch points, bottlenecks where development and infrastructure funnel movement into a limited set of pathways.
—Eve Bohnett, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Those bottlenecks appeared to be clearing this week as agents began receiving backpay after Trump signed an executive order.
—Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Lu sees a growing cross-media trend, in which film IP becomes games and vice versa, creating both opportunity and bottlenecks, with the cost of producing high-detail digital characters remaining a significant barrier that AI will help address.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Building officials in Broward County deserve significant credit for changing outdated processes that created unnecessary bottlenecks.
—Ian Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
Antwerp and Rotterdam have had to contend with more prevalent congestion woes in recent years amid increasing container volumes, ongoing labor unrest, as well as infrastructure strain responsible for inland transportation delays and bottlenecks.
—Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, crude prices remain elevated amid lingering supply concerns tied to Middle East supply bottlenecks.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertilizer prices, together with transport bottlenecks, will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Data readiness, security, integrations, workflow redesign, and building human skills remain stubborn bottlenecks for true AI implementation.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Squeezing through ‘pinch points’ Our model showed that the squirrel’s best habitat persists in a network of pinch points, bottlenecks where development and infrastructure funnel movement into a limited set of pathways.
—Eve Bohnett, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Those bottlenecks appeared to be clearing this week as agents began receiving backpay after Trump signed an executive order.
—Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Lu sees a growing cross-media trend, in which film IP becomes games and vice versa, creating both opportunity and bottlenecks, with the cost of producing high-detail digital characters remaining a significant barrier that AI will help address.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
Building officials in Broward County deserve significant credit for changing outdated processes that created unnecessary bottlenecks.
—Ian Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottlenecks
Noun
-
This breathless, busy sci-fi adventure ram-jams through space, time and the past 50 years of popular cinema history as our characters bop from planet to planet, making various stops and side quests.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Brustad’s husband of 56 years runs the audio and visual equipment for the community jams.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Irvine office campus snags $32 million The office campus Centerstone Plaza sold in mid-January for $32 million.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The highest debut on the latest frame belongs to Madison Beer, the American singer-songwriter whose third album Locket (LOUD/Sony) snags a podium entry, just behind Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving (Universal), down 1-2.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During this roughly 40-minute period, the moon blocks the radio signals needed for mission controllers to maintain contact with the astronauts.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The cosmos will even treat the Artemis II astronauts to a total solar eclipse as the moon temporarily blocks the sun from their perspective.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Visiting is free, and public transit is recommended due to the traffic snarls along the National Mall (especially on the weekend).—
Adele Chapin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Exercise also reduces chronic inflammation in the brain, which hinders its ability to repair itself, Oye-Somefun said.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In the northeastern state of Alagoas, some prisoners were handed a Kindle with 300 literary works on them, whereas other, more conservative states have heavy bureaucracy which hinders access, Dias said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Although convenient, dryer sheets can leave a residue that clogs the lint trap and contributes to buildup.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Vegetation clogs its steep banks.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
A lot of it stems, frankly, from Levin himself.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Mucus oozed out of the coral stems, a telltale response to trauma.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The weir prohibits the flow of saltwater into the lagoon and impedes the draining of sediment from the lagoon into the ocean.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottlenecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottlenecks. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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