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
-
Eating well is a huge feature—from the perfect crepes, homemade jams and market fruit of breakfast to Dyades locavore menu, noted in the Michelin guide, which makes the herbs, flowers, fruit and vegetables from the kitchen garden shine.—
Lydia Bell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The initial drop of shelf-stable food products — including jams, teas, crêpe mix and flower sprinkles — has since expanded to include wines, candles and a limited edition leather bookmark.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Charm City Boca’s construction hit snags immediately.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Police have reported three incidents, all of them just blocks from each other in the South Shore and Grand Crossing communities.—
Natalie Goldstick,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The 24-year-old succeeds against all three levels of the pass defense, blocks well against defensive backs and even front-seven defenders and runs for yards off jet-motion touches, screens and downfield passes.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
That clogs the judicial system, wastes limited resources, and delays justice for those with legitimate grievances.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Both are highly absorptive, drawing out excess oil that clogs pores and contributes to breakouts.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The flower stems grow from between the leaves at the center line of the leaf whereas the roots grow from the sides.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Either pinch individual leaves from the plant or use clean pruning shears to cut 6-inch stems about 1 or 2 inches from the base of the plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Thus, the inability to read complex material impedes social as well as intellectual growth.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
-
However, if leaving the door open impedes foot traffic or may allow a child or animal to become trapped inside the drum, even a few inches are helpful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bottlenecks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottlenecks. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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