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
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
According to him, real-world deployment is a key step to removing the practical and technological bottlenecks that humanoids face today.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Government procurement bottlenecks add further friction, delaying nearly 40% of major health projects.
—Abrar Mir, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
But there’s no suggestion that this move would help African producers to overcome the bottlenecks, such as poor energy infrastructure and high financing costs, that hold back attempts to add more value locally.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Existing American and European data center developers are already facing significant power access bottlenecks, according to their note.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
The idea was not to replace human relationships, but to remove the bottlenecks that kept those relationships from forming in the first place.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Grocery prices have been on the rise for most of the past six years, as supply chain bottlenecks, the war in Ukraine and excessive profit-taking here in America have put a strain on consumers’ wallets.
—Joe Murphy, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
In some cases, surface streets may be a better option than highways near major bottlenecks.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
Increase transparency in taxes and healthcare pricing, reduce bottlenecks that slow housing construction, support workforce expansion in skilled trades, and cut waste so taxpayers are not paying more for less.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
According to him, real-world deployment is a key step to removing the practical and technological bottlenecks that humanoids face today.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
Government procurement bottlenecks add further friction, delaying nearly 40% of major health projects.
—Abrar Mir, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
But there’s no suggestion that this move would help African producers to overcome the bottlenecks, such as poor energy infrastructure and high financing costs, that hold back attempts to add more value locally.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Existing American and European data center developers are already facing significant power access bottlenecks, according to their note.
—Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
The idea was not to replace human relationships, but to remove the bottlenecks that kept those relationships from forming in the first place.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Grocery prices have been on the rise for most of the past six years, as supply chain bottlenecks, the war in Ukraine and excessive profit-taking here in America have put a strain on consumers’ wallets.
—Joe Murphy, NBC news, 8 Feb. 2026
In some cases, surface streets may be a better option than highways near major bottlenecks.
—Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottlenecks
Noun
-
The jams quickly began to draw both a vivacious crowd of listeners and a core group of budding jazz musicians.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
These jams typically form in two ways.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 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
-
The bill also blocks foreign funding so Illinois courts are not used as a financial tool by outside interests.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Sarr recovers and blocks the shot from behind.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Traffic snarls clearing Northbound Interstate 75 traffic was closed near downtown Cincinnati, Cincinnati police said Tuesday afternoon.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Afterward, Denver7 heard from Douglas County residents, including a Parker woman who feels the move hinders productive conversations around local issues and is merely a way for the commissioners to dodge criticism and accountability.—
thedenverchannel.com,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which hinders his ability to communicate.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Vegetation clogs its steep banks.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That clogs the judicial system, wastes limited resources, and delays justice for those with legitimate grievances.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Pests can also be particularly harmful to tender, young plant stems.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Hardy hibiscus and swamp hibiscus need a cleanup pruning of the dead stems every year.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aid groups say the true war death toll could be many times higher, as the fighting in vast and remote areas impedes access.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But the rulebook states a goal would be disallowed if an attacking player impedes the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely and defend the goal.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottlenecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottlenecks. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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