as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
Layers of different rock merge, sometimes sharply, as switchbacks cut through a sequence of geological history.
—
Rebecca 'becca' Dyer, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Whether such switchbacks would make the walk to the stadium longer or shorter than the current path remains to be determined.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Enter a ravine and follow gradual switchbacks to a small mesa at the top.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
The road is a mix of tight switchbacks, sudden grades and blind curves that can humble lesser vehicles.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
The best hiking pants earn their place in our packing list the hard way—through scree scrambles, sweaty switchbacks, and the kind of bushwhacking that tests each and every seam.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2026
Highway 101 passes directly through town, and there are no switchbacks or white-knuckle coastal roads.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
There are 52 switchbacks on this trail, which was completed in 1918, with panoramic views along the way and an up-close look at the rock’s geological intricacies.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Rebecca 'becca' Dyer, AZCentral.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Whether such switchbacks would make the walk to the stadium longer or shorter than the current path remains to be determined.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Enter a ravine and follow gradual switchbacks to a small mesa at the top.
—Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
The road is a mix of tight switchbacks, sudden grades and blind curves that can humble lesser vehicles.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
The best hiking pants earn their place in our packing list the hard way—through scree scrambles, sweaty switchbacks, and the kind of bushwhacking that tests each and every seam.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2026
Highway 101 passes directly through town, and there are no switchbacks or white-knuckle coastal roads.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
There are 52 switchbacks on this trail, which was completed in 1918, with panoramic views along the way and an up-close look at the rock’s geological intricacies.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks
Noun
-
Tying our long-term ability to fund roads exclusively to fuel consumption no longer reflects how Americans travel.—
Andrew Stasiowski,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly every waterway in Cheboygan County has overflowed its banks, with Black Lake, the Cheboygan River and other waterways inundating docks, roads, yards and nearby homes.—
Sarah Brumfield,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Most of the state’s 762,000 Jews reside in three South Florida counties — eclipsing much older congregations in Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Pensacola that thrived long before the advent of air-conditioning and interstate highways.—
Larry Luxner,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The normally bustling streets of Islamabad were deserted Saturday morning as security forces sealed roads ahead of the talks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
More than 270 people have died on city streets since the pledge, according to city data, and Sacramento ranked second-worst among California’s 15 largest cities for injury and fatal crashes, with 4,214 people killed or injured in 2023.—
Chris Fusco. Story produced with AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This article, published by moving industry website moveBuddha, paints a scary picture for those of us who worry that Idaho’s capital city already seems like its roadways were designed for half its current population.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The labels bore a photo of the vast sea of blossoms that once carpeted the Valley, now clogged with crowded freeways.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
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One of San Francisco's busiest freeways remained shut down Saturday, creating major traffic delays and dampening business for some local restaurants and shops.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Growing these plants around the perimeter of your garden can make groundhogs less inclined to venture further into garden rows.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Blooming Layers Alternating rows of various plants create a striking contrast.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During the planning stages, Zumthor’s design was controversial because his proposal involved having his building jut across Wilshire Boulevard, one of LA’s main thoroughfares.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Leading up to the complex and Building 27 is Erie Boulevard, one of the city’s main thoroughfares.—
Michael Kilian,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both turnpikes are currently classified as state highways, said Darian Butler, OTA engineering director.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoma Voice,
4 Feb. 2026
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Most of the construction happening right now is occurring on the highways, turnpikes, and interstates that get most residents through their daily commute.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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