1
as in snarls
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
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2
as in pickles
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 blocks
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 loads
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.
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Recent Examples of jams
Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Some items sold by the brand include jams and honey, tea and wine, candles, chocolate and other similar products.
—Tracy Wright , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Leaving behind the scooter jams and smoothie-bowl queues of the Bali coast feels less like a commute and more like an exorcism.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Travelers have been facing additional jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown strains screener staffing.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In addition, travelers were facing jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown continued to strain screener staffing.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Ahead of the performances, the Grammy-winning ensemble also plans to host a series of workshops, community jams and discussions at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music on Tuesday-Wednesday, March 17-18.
—Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Apricots are excellent for fresh eating, making preserves and jams, creating fruit leather, and drying.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
The move effectively jams the upper chamber by including the repeal in the funding package without the necessary time to reverse course, giving the Senate no option but to approve it.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Traffic regularly jams the freeway into the city, and residents fight over efforts to build more homes.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Someone breaks in, someone jams the signal from the home’s alarm system, someone monitors police radio traffic.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
After Dex takes her down, Weyland recovers her brain and jams it into a supercomputer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
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
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
Some items sold by the brand include jams and honey, tea and wine, candles, chocolate and other similar products.
—Tracy Wright , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Leaving behind the scooter jams and smoothie-bowl queues of the Bali coast feels less like a commute and more like an exorcism.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Travelers have been facing additional jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown strains screener staffing.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In addition, travelers were facing jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown continued to strain screener staffing.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Ahead of the performances, the Grammy-winning ensemble also plans to host a series of workshops, community jams and discussions at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music on Tuesday-Wednesday, March 17-18.
—Andrew Gilbert, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2026
Apricots are excellent for fresh eating, making preserves and jams, creating fruit leather, and drying.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
That crud jams up the works of your coffee maker, slows brewing down, and impacts the taste of your morning brew.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
The move effectively jams the upper chamber by including the repeal in the funding package without the necessary time to reverse course, giving the Senate no option but to approve it.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Traffic regularly jams the freeway into the city, and residents fight over efforts to build more homes.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Someone breaks in, someone jams the signal from the home’s alarm system, someone monitors police radio traffic.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
After Dex takes her down, Weyland recovers her brain and jams it into a supercomputer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jams
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Dill for digestion, fish dishes of all manners, and knock-your-socks-off garlicy pickles.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
-
James Folta’s rose of the week involved re-upping his trusty supply of fridge pickles.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ribs and the brisket are the stars of the show, and the Ultimate BBQ Combo Sandwich stuffs a long hoagie roll with brisket, sausage, and pulled pork plus bacon, Cheddar, and pickles.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kinney lovingly stuffs the view of the boat’s cabin and upper deck with props and details that reward the eye.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
The island, where Iran loads nearly all its oil exports, is seen as a potential target if Washington decides to hit Iranian energy or to use ground troops to seize it.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
While trees — oak, birch, maple — dominate early spring, grass pollen often overlaps in late spring from May to June, leading to higher, more intense allergy loads for sufferers.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The decision comes as the Israeli military attacks Lebanon with airstrikes and pushes into southern Lebanon with ground troops, leading more than a million people to flee their homes.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The hypocrisy is especially rank as RFK pushes the Food and Drug Administration to loosen restrictions on peptides, an experimental fad among wellness influencers who scorn traditional medicine.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Winning from behind is not sustainable, and the predicaments in which Chelsea have found themselves this week point to other problems.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Rustin has slyly given her script a focus on women’s needs and feelings, a welcome departure for a genre that usually is more concerned about the men’s predicaments.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Director Allan Deberton crams much story and characterization in those opening frames.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, the show crams everything into a space that can't hold it, culminating in this past third season that exploded with too much of practically everything.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jams. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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