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, 19 Apr. 2026
Eat the figs fresh or turn them into jams or jellies to enjoy year-round.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
The show ebbed and flowed with precision, with the uptempo jams countered by Mars’ considerable arsenal of ballads.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Eighth-grade pitcher Molly Buffington worked out of several jams, including when King Philip had the game-winning run on base in the seventh and eighth.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Offerings have since expanded to include homemade jams, dog treats, soaps and, of course, bread.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Shop a variety of jams and jellies, salsas, sauces, dips, and other food items.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Ryan Walker got four outs and pitched out of two-on jams in the seventh and eighth.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images Ryan Walker got four outs and pitched out of two-on jams in the seventh and eighth.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 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
Pitchers on both sides worked out of jams.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
Eat the figs fresh or turn them into jams or jellies to enjoy year-round.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Apr. 2026
The show ebbed and flowed with precision, with the uptempo jams countered by Mars’ considerable arsenal of ballads.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Eighth-grade pitcher Molly Buffington worked out of several jams, including when King Philip had the game-winning run on base in the seventh and eighth.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Offerings have since expanded to include homemade jams, dog treats, soaps and, of course, bread.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Shop a variety of jams and jellies, salsas, sauces, dips, and other food items.
—Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Ryan Walker got four outs and pitched out of two-on jams in the seventh and eighth.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images Ryan Walker got four outs and pitched out of two-on jams in the seventh and eighth.
—CBS News, 8 Apr. 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
-
Visiting is free, and public transit is recommended due to the traffic snarls along the National Mall (especially on the weekend).—
Adele Chapin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
-
As Ross, Martin’s friend and confidante, Kevin Singer has the insinuating righteousness of a slinky cat, his line readings all mews and snarls.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Add a layer of shredded lettuce, glazed chicken, pickles and vegetable salad.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The original Big Crispy features mayo and pickles, while the spicy version has spicy mayo.—
Chiara Kim,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tyler Cameron happily stuffs his face at the launch of Panera's new salad stuffers during an intimate dinner in New York.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
12 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Sometime between January and March 2024, the singer was photographed stepping out of a black Tesla just blocks from Celeste’s home.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Residents of the South End and Fenway are experiencing harsher heat than others just blocks away.—
Alyssa Andrews,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Montgomery County loads up on snacks and dessert to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary.—
Kim Hudson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Brandon builds a fire, loads the smoker with hot charcoal, puts the pig in, and then pulls the tenderloin only a few hours into the cooking process; Sieger puts the pig in first, then gently raises the temperature, and does not pull the tenderloin separately.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investors will be watching the hearing closely to see how Warsh balances Trump’s demands for lower interest rates as the war in Iran pushes up the price of gasoline, adding to inflationary pressures that already exist.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Mosley, however, pushes back at the criticism.—
Keith Murphy,
VIBE.com,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The madman strategy is for not-crazy leaders caught in adverse predicaments.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Journeys that used to take entire seasons were being covered in single episodes, characters survived predicaments that once meant surefire death, and previously relevant factors like supplies, infrastructure, and alliances no longer mattered.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 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 23 Apr. 2026.
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