as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
This two-lane highway runs parallel to the Rio Grande and is filled with mountain views, steep inclines, and dramatic switchbacks.
—
Gabi De La Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 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
The climb winds through cedar forest and switchbacks into remote Berber villages where the architecture grows out of the rock and days are timed to the sheep and the seasons.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
Hundreds of people trudged up the steep switchbacks in single file.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Those who reach the top return via the Barr Trail’s switchbacks.
—Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Given the highly turbulent nature of the solar atmosphere, researchers are now examining whether similar variations in type III burst drift rates could be driven by magnetic irregularities, including switchbacks or broader field deflections.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Mann’s allegation of a 2013 rape in a Manhattan hotel is again up for consideration because of a series of legal switchbacks.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
There are a few switchbacks with sporadic wooden steps to help in your ascent.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Gabi De La Rosa, Travel + Leisure, 7 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
The climb winds through cedar forest and switchbacks into remote Berber villages where the architecture grows out of the rock and days are timed to the sheep and the seasons.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 23 May 2026
Hundreds of people trudged up the steep switchbacks in single file.
—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Those who reach the top return via the Barr Trail’s switchbacks.
—Abigail Bliss, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Given the highly turbulent nature of the solar atmosphere, researchers are now examining whether similar variations in type III burst drift rates could be driven by magnetic irregularities, including switchbacks or broader field deflections.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
Mann’s allegation of a 2013 rape in a Manhattan hotel is again up for consideration because of a series of legal switchbacks.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
There are a few switchbacks with sporadic wooden steps to help in your ascent.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks
Noun
-
The suspect continued driving through the windy roads near Castaic Lake as officers trailed behind.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 June 2026
-
In the city of Taoyuan, home to the island's largest international airport, tanks drove down city streets and highways, videos and photos of the exercise showed, as armored vehicles from the Army’s 269th Infantry Brigade conducted combat readiness patrols morning.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Located at Reed and First streets in downtown’s SoFA district, the building was purchased out of foreclosure in May for $175 million.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
20 June 2026
-
The excavation, which began in September of last year and will conclude in July, uncovered a public bathhouse, residential blocks, luxury townhouses, streets, and a tower dating back nearly 2,000 years.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Residents can type in their address to see if there is ponding or flooding on nearby roadways.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Those designs showed roadways through people’s homes, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods that have borne the cost of growth before.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Oscar Sanchez-Muñoz, of Independence, Missouri, allegedly shot several people indiscriminately along freeways and roadways the evening of June 16, Kansas City police said.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
Many of our readers may remember that old promise that by 1973, our dear tollways would become freeways.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
For instance, a number of residential buildings will feature a covered walking area with rows of columns.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
-
Common examples include squats, deadlifts, chest presses, rows and shoulder presses.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Very basic over most of the city, very elaborate along the main thoroughfares.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
The two major thoroughfares will have one lane closed in each direction until cleanup is complete, which will last through summer, Pestrella said.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
As transportation networks expanded—first with canals and turnpikes, and later with railroads—rural isolation began to fade.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
-
Both turnpikes are currently classified as state highways, said Darian Butler, OTA engineering director.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoma Voice,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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