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
-
Rainwater tends to stockpile on the edges of roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Such incidents involving multiple cyclists are rare in the Netherlands, where bicycle riding is woven into everyday life and almost all roads have dedicated cycle lanes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
In all, our group passed eight freeways, two highways, and one river, twice.—
Pedro Moura,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The shooting came hours after thousands of Knicks fans flooded streets across Manhattan to celebrate the franchise's first NBA title since 1973.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
-
Traffic on the streets around the Garden came to a standstill after the game as the NYPD maintained a heavy presence.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 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
-
Passing through a dozen cities and crossing eight freeways, a group of walkers made their way along Atlantic Boulevard, from Alhambra to Monterey Park to Long Beach.—
Pedro Moura,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
And much of their Finals journey was overshadowed by the OJ Simpson case that began with a white Ford Bronco slowly driving down Southern California freeways in the middle of the opening game.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
From what archaeologists gathered, the Roman villa garden featured a flowerbed enclosed in a courtyard with rows of packed ceramic pots, as per Ancient Origins.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
13 June 2026
-
At the waist, the rich fabric gathered to form rows of fine ruching that highlighted the intentional divide between the bodice and the skirt.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
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
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Traffic typically backs up on Harbor Drive and other main downtown thoroughfares on nights when concerts at The Shell and Padres games take place concurrently.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
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 18 Jun. 2026.
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