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
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
In response, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) governments are trying to ease these bottlenecks.
—Eleni Giokos, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
State officials and business leaders have noted a series of recent actions that have helped ease bottlenecks at the southbound San Ysidro-Tijuana crossing.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Transportation by pipelines and tankers can also be an issue, risking more bottlenecks and higher prices.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Certain venues and activities tend to be especially popular, creating potential hallway bottlenecks, scarce seating and long lines.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
These include logistics, insurance and freight bottlenecks taking their time to work through the system.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The ongoing airport security bottlenecks are evoking a sense of deja vu for many Americans.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
That speed is critical for AI systems, which must move enormous amounts of data without bottlenecks.
—Ian King, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
Under the modification, the General Dynamics subsidiary will aim to address supplier network bottlenecks that have delayed the delivery of the first submarine in the next-generation 12-vessel fleet of nuclear submarines.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
In response, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) governments are trying to ease these bottlenecks.
—Eleni Giokos, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
State officials and business leaders have noted a series of recent actions that have helped ease bottlenecks at the southbound San Ysidro-Tijuana crossing.
—Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Transportation by pipelines and tankers can also be an issue, risking more bottlenecks and higher prices.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Certain venues and activities tend to be especially popular, creating potential hallway bottlenecks, scarce seating and long lines.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
These include logistics, insurance and freight bottlenecks taking their time to work through the system.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
The ongoing airport security bottlenecks are evoking a sense of deja vu for many Americans.
—Jackson Shedelbower, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
That speed is critical for AI systems, which must move enormous amounts of data without bottlenecks.
—Ian King, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottlenecks
Noun
-
Rosauer struck out 10 in her four innings for Yorkville (1-3), wriggling out of several jams and teaming with senior reliever Ellie Fox to strike out 16.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
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Beyond the pedestrianized streets and bike lanes, the familiar cacophony of drivers honking their frustration is, if anything, louder than ever — as are the grumbles from those who rely on buses now snarled in endless jams.—
Lisa Courbebaisse,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 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
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Still, the order blocks vendors from selling any new Wi-Fi routers that are manufactured, developed, or designed outside the US in a major way.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Together, the salts and your sweat form a gel-like substance that blocks your skin’s pores and keeps further sweat from escaping.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And when transportation snarls, that means any business that needs somebody to be somewhere at a particular time feels an immediate impact.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The lengthy delays to get through security checkpoints come as more travelers are going on trips for spring break and running into snarls because of the partial government shutdown.—
Austin Denean,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The instruments used to make antimatter create interference that hinders its study.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Traveling back across the ocean also hinders preparation for the following week.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Vegetation clogs its steep banks.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
6 Feb. 2026
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That clogs the judicial system, wastes limited resources, and delays justice for those with legitimate grievances.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their dissatisfaction stems in part from Arirang’s failure to make the most of an attempt at fusing strip- and EDM-club aesthetics to the insistent word repetition of the K-pop generation prior to BTS.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Set stems and leaves aside separately.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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This gross oversight, which is largely due to a lack of financial backing, impedes reproductive health for everyone.—
Kenneth H. Mayer,
STAT,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottlenecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottlenecks. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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