as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks
Noun
-
Extending housing to remote areas requires new roads, water systems, sewers, schools, and fire protection, all of which are costly and often opposed by local governments.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
The tech giant has also committed to investments in schools and nonprofit organizations in Richland Parish, as well as more than $300 million to help improve local infrastructure, from roads to wastewater management.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Milford, a bustling and popular city, easily accessible because of highways and a destination for its beaches, also is an important part of Connecticut’s history.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Lane closures are in place on ramps on both highways there through 2027.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The quick turnaround was a whirlwind for Griffin, who bolted from Westchester to the busy downtown Brooklyn streets.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Because drivers spend so much time on the streets, the vehicles are designed for comfort, operations manager Michael Bradshaw said.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Oversize and overweight vehicles providing relief are also authorized to travel state roadways under special permits issued by the Georgia Department of Public Safety.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
The post cautioned drivers to be more vigilant about deer that are acting erratically – perhaps drunkenly – and may be more unpredictable around roadways.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The council also exempted from SB 79 areas that are close to a transit stop but violate the spirit of SB 79 because residents can’t walk to it easily because of barriers like canyons, freeways or a lack of sidewalks.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Our urban centers have run out of capacity for significantly expanding our airports and freeways.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
To keep weeds at bay, spread sterile straw between rows.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The cheapest areas, the upper rows with bench seating, cost between $280 and $331 now.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
These are not the kinds of establishments that are at home on busy city thoroughfares or town squares.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
Thousands of marchers flooded the thoroughfares of Venice to protest the presence of Israel at the Venice Biennale, with many national pavilions shuttering in solidarity.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 May 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 16 May. 2026.
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