1
as in snarl
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement
thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium's parking lot at the same time are sure to create a jam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in pickle
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the heavy rain puts us in a real jam: all of the preparations are for a garden wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
firefighters found the nightclub's doorways jammed with trapped patrons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fill
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
the inn will jam a guest's picnic basket with an array of tempting foods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jam
Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Michael King got out of the first two jams his lack of command helped create and was rescued by Adrian Morejón the third time.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
Born during the Great Depression to cotton farmers outside of Meadow, Texas, Curtis was a childhood friend of Buddy Holly’s and an active musician in the formative years of rock, whether jamming on guitar with Holly in the mid-1950s or opening for Elvis Presley when Elvis was still a regional act.
—Hillel Italie, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jam
Noun
Arrange sliced strawberries in a single layer over jam.
—Sonal Dutt, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Michael King got out of the first two jams his lack of command helped create and was rescued by Adrian Morejón the third time.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
The crowded and busy special event tends to jam foot traffic near the main entrance to the park.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Sep. 2025
Born during the Great Depression to cotton farmers outside of Meadow, Texas, Curtis was a childhood friend of Buddy Holly’s and an active musician in the formative years of rock, whether jamming on guitar with Holly in the mid-1950s or opening for Elvis Presley when Elvis was still a regional act.
—Hillel Italie, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jam
Noun
-
The result has been a seemingly endless run of East Washington Street roadwork and traffic snarls from Alabama Street downtown to I-465.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
25 Sep. 2025
-
There was talk of traffic snarls and strain on the power grid.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Blind Butcher Shoppe is a favorite spot for locals hoping to bring home dinner, but their selection of artisanal pantry items like pickles, preserves, and more are worth checking out for those looking to bring an edible souvenir home.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Whether the pickle pandemonium is a fad or not, pickles are delicious – and my chicken salad celebrates them in all their bold, sour, crunchy glory.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It’s stuffed with tissue paper.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
-
OpenAI's first Stargate development to come online — a data center in Texas that's stuffed to the brims with Oracle and Nvidia infrastructure — did so just as investors started questioning the sustainability of the artificial intelligence firm's trajectory.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In terms of how the oral medicine works, JOURNAVX provides relief by blocking pain signals found in the periphery, not in the brain, like traditional opioids.—
Essence,
Essence,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Three separate lawsuits seek to block it from taking effect, while opponents are hoping to mount a referendum campaign that would ask voters to repeal it through a statewide vote.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The fall sale is here at Nordstrom, and it’s filled with deals on top brands and trendy looks for every style and budget.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The appointments of Stacie Brown and Monty Baugh in March 2024 filled the remaining seats on the board.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Speaking in Rhode Island, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that signs of labor market weakness had pushed policymakers to shift their balance of risks in a way that justified a rate cut this month.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
27 Sep. 2025
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The post stated that a special traffic pattern will also be in place on Saturday evening to help manage congestion.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Traffic congestion in the Keys — especially during weekends, special events and the peak fall and winter tourist season — can slow things considerably.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That means having to resolve a strategic dilemma in China.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Chase Infiniti’s breakout performance has generated significant word-of-mouth but positioning her in lead leaves more room for co-stars Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall in supporting roles, and less of a chance of a classic vote-splitting dilemma that has derailed campaigns in the past.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jam. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share