Thesaurus results for SWITCHBACKS

switchbacks

noun

plural of switchback

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 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

By exchanging ownership, McCall would be able to implement more pedestrian safety measures, such as bike lanes and walking routes that are not standard for state highways, Youmans said.

— Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026
Critically, these investments also improve North Carolina roads, highways, and bridges.

— Kevin Blackwell, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of highways

Noun

However, messaging from organizations and informal networks involved in the protests suggests that demonstrators intend to return to the streets during the weekend.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
Instead of leaning into French Indochina, the design draws on Hanoi's craft traditions, the Red River, lacquer art, and the city's historic guild streets to create a distinctly contemporary expression of Vietnamese luxury.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 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

While many competitors technically offer three rows, their third-row seating seems designed primarily for emergency use.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
For those in need of three rows, and the ability to tow 7,700 pounds of boat trailer or race-car hauler, this Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 delivers performance definitely worth the starting price.

— Howard Walker, Robb Report, 23 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

Browse Nearby Words

switchback

switchbacks

switchblade

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of switchbacks

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

reticent

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes