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

His priorities if given another four years were public safety, better roads and lower taxes.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Mauldin, chair of the city’s Planning Commission and an employee of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, emphasized responsible growth, affordable housing and improvements to roads, public transit and utilities.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of roads

Noun

If El Niño brings storms that damage the road again, history suggests Caltrans will fix it, seemingly stuck in an endless loop of patchwork repairs for one of California’s most challenging mountain highways to maintain.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
For example, campaign workers must remove signs placed within sight of state highways within 10 days after an election.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of highways

Noun

After the raids ramped up in January, tens of thousands of former workers ended up in the capital, Phnom Penh, many sleeping in the streets.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Angelenos yearn for safer streets, an end to homelessness, a renewal of the dreamland that the city has represented for more than a century.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of streets

Noun

In effect, this implies that dark asphalt roadways, parking lots, and rooftops are represented as bright red on high-resolution thermal charts.

— Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
However, the company says the city failed to coordinate with the property owners adjacent to the roadways being raised, and construction wasn’t able to start on time.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of roadways

Noun

McKinney would prioritize public safety and vows to go after demonstrators who block freeways or engage in conduct similar to the 2024 pro-Palestine encampments on UCLA’s campus.

— Times staff, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
There are special rules for temporary political signs placed within 660 feet or visible from highways and certain freeways.

— Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of freeways

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 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of switchbacks

noun

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