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
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2026
Early on, there were manufacturing bottlenecks that resulted in short supplies of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound.
—Sean Conlon,fred Imbert, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
The findings could help accelerate the transition of perovskite technologies from laboratory prototypes to durable commercial devices, addressing one of the field’s most critical engineering bottlenecks.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
The goal will be to beef up the national supply chain by removing any bottlenecks to progress.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Dec. 2025
As a result of her work with AMRs, Wise avoids framing humanoids as some sort of industrial panacea for every economic ill, from labor shortages to manufacturing bottlenecks.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
While the region’s homeless population faces many bottlenecks, the lack of detox beds is especially acute.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Luigi Avantaggiato Today, curation and annotation are time-consuming processes, regarded as major bottlenecks to the rapid progress that the Earth BioGenome Project desperately needs to reach its 2035 goal.
—Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, production bottlenecks, labor shortages, tighter government spending, and the lack of Western technology are increasingly causing strains in the economy, Prokopenko said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
This year, Kroeze anticipates primary bottlenecks to be less about physical production capacity and more about navigating operational and regulatory challenges that demand higher adaptability and transparency.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2026
Early on, there were manufacturing bottlenecks that resulted in short supplies of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly's Zepbound.
—Sean Conlon,fred Imbert, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
The findings could help accelerate the transition of perovskite technologies from laboratory prototypes to durable commercial devices, addressing one of the field’s most critical engineering bottlenecks.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
The goal will be to beef up the national supply chain by removing any bottlenecks to progress.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Dec. 2025
As a result of her work with AMRs, Wise avoids framing humanoids as some sort of industrial panacea for every economic ill, from labor shortages to manufacturing bottlenecks.
—James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
While the region’s homeless population faces many bottlenecks, the lack of detox beds is especially acute.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Luigi Avantaggiato Today, curation and annotation are time-consuming processes, regarded as major bottlenecks to the rapid progress that the Earth BioGenome Project desperately needs to reach its 2035 goal.
—Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, production bottlenecks, labor shortages, tighter government spending, and the lack of Western technology are increasingly causing strains in the economy, Prokopenko said.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottlenecks
Noun
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More than 200 producers sell seasonal fruit and vegetables, breads and cheeses of every kind, charcuterie, olives and tapenades, quiches, jams, and honey—and that's just the food section.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
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The album’s maximalist approach, combining an array of live instruments, VSTs, and samplers, sometimes coheres into true jams.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Continue reading … NEW BEGINNINGS – CBS snags ABC reporter who apologized for remarks about Charlie Kirk alleged shooter's ‘touching’ messages.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Mega Millions winner snags $90M jackpot.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
8 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That decision — made soon after the Minneapolis incident made national headlines — blocks state investigators at the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from accessing key evidence, like Good's car and other case materials, which has drawn scrutiny from state leaders.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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The law blocks schools from expanding sports programs for male athletes at the expense of women, but that protection completely unravels when male athletes simply transfer their physical advantages into women’s sports.—
Alanna Smith,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Despite headwinds like tariffs, supply chain snarls and higher costs for solar panels and other components, Fishman said, the initiative is having an impact.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
And, two, worldwide supply chain snarls also stemming from the pandemic.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That imbalance — one main character rendered flesh and blood while the other never comes to life — hinders the central narrative of the film.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
3 Jan. 2026
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The anti-caking coating that prevents cheese from sticking together also hinders cheese from blending or melting into other foods with ease.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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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
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Both are highly absorptive, drawing out excess oil that clogs pores and contributes to breakouts.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Leaving broken branches and stems in place potentially makes branch damage worse, allows bark to tear further, and leaves plants more exposed to diseases and winter winds.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
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Now is the time to prune back stems to create a uniform, fuller shape and promote branching for more flowers next season.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Let go of whatever impedes your growth.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
20 Dec. 2025
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During the meeting, Amy Flottemesch, president of the Cincinnati Food Truck Association, said the curfew impedes food truck owners’ ability to do business, which relies on late-night crowds.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bottlenecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottlenecks. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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