as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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
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
The Quattro system distributes power seamlessly and even on tighter downhill switchbacks, the vehicle maintained composure.
—Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 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
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 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
ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
The Quattro system distributes power seamlessly and even on tighter downhill switchbacks, the vehicle maintained composure.
—Chris Jackson, Denver Post, 24 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
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks
Noun
-
Depending on the variant, the tank had a maximum speed of 22-30 mph (35-48 km/h) on roads and 15-20 mph (24-32 km/h) off-road, and an operational range of 100-150 mi (160-240 km) on roads and 60-100 mi (97-161 km) cross-country.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
-
Many roads were still blocked in Lincoln County and teams from the agency were assessing the damage.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The redesign, mandated by the City Council in a 2023 law, adds 43 miles to the city’s 1970s-era network of truck routes — and in so doing, officials hope, streamlines access to highways and industry.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
The highways, commerce and population have changed our environment — and often, not for the better.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Relationships are two-way streets.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Blackmon was part of a generation of Black Americans across the South who fought in courtrooms and in the streets to dismantle barriers to voting and achieve political representation in a region scarred by the legacy of slavery and its aftermath.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 May 2026
-
Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Snakes, freeways, difficult men and Didion’s quiet brutality hang in the air like the oppressive heat of this unusually warm spring day.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Downtown Fort Worth sits at the intersection of three freeways, a train yard and serves as both a central business district and entertainment spot.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Barranquilla, Colombia — Surrounded by rows of costumes, reggaeton superstar J Balvin fuels up in his dressing room as thousands of people in the coastal Colombian city of Barranquilla wait outside for his raucous five-hour live performance to begin.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
There would be three rows of houses.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Many District 8 commercial thoroughfares, for example, are ghost towns and need significant economic development.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Some of these thoroughfares are decidedly more visit-worthy than others, and USA Today recently deemed one main street the best in the county.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both turnpikes are currently classified as state highways, said Darian Butler, OTA engineering director.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoma Voice,
4 Feb. 2026
-
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 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
