as in road
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchback
Descend its famously crooked path, flanked by cascading hydrangeas and storybook Edwardian homes—then watch cars zigzag through eight tight switchbacks while tourists crowd the sidewalks, snapping photos of its surreal descent.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
For the many investors who believed the market had grown too concentrated in Magnificent 7 -type stocks, this switchback in leadership is likely welcome.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025
The lawyers said others pursuing the Grand Teton Fastest Known Time also cut out switchbacks using the Old Climber’s Trail.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for switchback
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
For the many investors who believed the market had grown too concentrated in Magnificent 7 -type stocks, this switchback in leadership is likely welcome.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025
The lawyers said others pursuing the Grand Teton Fastest Known Time also cut out switchbacks using the Old Climber’s Trail.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for switchback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchback
Noun
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There is a road closure at Kaw Drive and I-435 South.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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Savanti Travel’s Rowan recalled a client, who was in Paris on a business trip, arriving late for an appointment after ChatGPT suggested a route that failed to account for road closures due to construction.—
Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
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Then last year came the discovery of Rancho Izaguirre, just 45 minutes down the highway, where bone fragments, clothing and other evidence indicated the cartel had been disposing of bodies.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
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Hernandez was found dead just off the roadway behind a burgundy Honda Accord with gunshot wounds to the bridge of his nose and center of the back of his head, the affidavit said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Still, the street corner will remain the soul of his operation — and the music at the heart of it all.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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QueenEr’Re was the second 11-year-old to be killed on the block since early 2023, the latest loss in an area already marked by streets named for Derrick Turnbow and Domonic Davis, whose young lives were also claimed by gun violence.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The program is a coordinated effort by SANDAG, Caltrans and other agencies to improve freeway, railroad and other forms of transportation in the region.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
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In fact, within weeks of taking the job, Franzen informally proposed building a tollway instead of a freeway that had been on the drawing board for 20 years.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Touhy Avenue is a major east-west Chicago thoroughfare running from Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood to Elk Grove Village — and linking Lincolnwood, Skokie, Niles, Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood, Park Ridge, and Des Plaines.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cinespace Studios Los Angeles is located in a bustling retail district on one of the Valley’s major thoroughfares, Victory Boulevard.—
Todd Longwell,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The monthly meeting of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority came to stop as the Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers, turnpike superintendents and state legislators in the audience lofted their Red Solo cups in a toast.—
Brandy McDonnell,
Oklahoman,
3 Mar. 2026
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The law is enforced on sections of I-4, I-75, I-95, and the turnpike.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, also is not included here.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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This is especially true when traveling long distances away from expressways and major highways, where fast Tesla Superchargers are now common.—
Adam L. Neal,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switchback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchback. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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