Thesaurus results for SWITCHBACKS

switchbacks

noun

plural of switchback

as in roads

a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill

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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 switchbacks Follow the path adjacent to South Foxton Road, then cross the street and ascend a series of switchbacks. — Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 The hike up alongside it is a 3-mile round trip with switchbacks and handrails at the steeper spots. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Near the half-mile point, hikers are met with a handful of switchbacks that guide them up the mountain. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 On uneven terrain, loose scree, muddy switchbacks, and stream crossings, reliable traction can make all the difference. — Gentry Hale, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026 Cloud cover limited the helicopter to a lower drop point near 50/50 Flat, above the switchbacks, forcing rescuers to climb on foot to reach the injured woman. — James Ward, USA Today, 2 July 2026 From there, the itinerary continues toward Trollstigen, one of Norway’s most famous mountain roads, known for its steep switchbacks and waterfalls. — Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Waymos are designed to take the fastest route, and eight switchbacks with tourists driving down in awe of San Francisco at 5mph will never be that. — Rakesh Agrawal, PC Magazine, 28 June 2026 Drivers needed a super-thin sole to feel the pedals, a rounded heel to pivot smoothly around sharp European switchbacks, and a tight suede fit. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks

Noun

Kyiv has accused Russian forces of mining nearby roads and using the remaining residents as human shields to prevent Ukraine’s army from conducting offensive operations in the town.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Response teams are battling armed conflict, poor roads and violence from residents fueled by mistrust and misinformation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of roads

Noun

The records show that for nearly three years now, Florida’s highways have been racing with troopers’ black-and-tan patrol cars chasing drivers, even for non-violent offenses, leaving a trail of severe crashes, injuries and deaths.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
Oklahoma's Highway Patrol signed all of its troopers on to 287(g), giving their officers the power to stop a driver and potentially make an immigration arrest on state highways.

— Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of highways

Noun

Celebrities are still wearing them too, including the actress Zoë Kravitz, who has been photographed in them on New York City streets, and Meghan Markle, who sported a slip skirt for the recent release of her As Ever advent calendar on Instagram.

— Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Spotted out in New York City, the actor and recent beauty brand founder appeared to have taken the comforts of home quite literally onto the streets.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of streets

Noun

Once-barren lots have been excavated to lay foundations for apartments, roadways and restaurants.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Days of this relentless wave action could worsen ongoing beach erosion, especially in parts of the Outer Banks, where homes have crumbled into the sea in recent years and roadways have washed away.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of roadways

Noun

This week’s storm brought localized flooding to several freeways by Thursday morning, including parts of Highway 101 in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and Highway 1 in San Luis Obispo County, according to the National Weather Service.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Director Christopher Nolan uses the premise to stage spectacular sequences where cars reverse down freeways at high speed, cause and effect goes topsy-turvy, and fights are just, well, weird.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of freeways

Noun

The design riffs on botonaduras, the rows of decorative sterling silver buttons that often adorn charro trousers and skirts at Mexican rodeos.

— Zoey Goto, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
The 12 women who shared their stories on Tuesday morning, seated with family, friends and other survivors, took up five rows.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of rows

Noun

Chu recommends the side streets near popular thoroughfares for less traffic and therefore more generous candy offerings.

— Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026
The resulting long lineups snake out from working gas stations into the main thoroughfares of Moscow and other Russian cities.

— Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of thoroughfares

Noun

As transportation networks expanded—first with canals and turnpikes, and later with railroads—rural isolation began to fade.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Both turnpikes are currently classified as state highways, said Darian Butler, OTA engineering director.

— Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice, 4 Feb. 2026

Definition of turnpikes

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switchback

switchbacks

switchblade

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“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of switchbacks

noun

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