as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
The climb is infamous for its heart-pumping switchbacks and vertiginous jaunt along a narrow sliver of crag.
—
Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
On Monday, Inyo County and Mono County Search and Rescue members hiked seven miles to the base of the switchbacks and confirmed the fatality, but inclement weather again prevented the rescue team from carrying the hiker’s body off the mountain.
—Mary Beth “mouse” Skylis, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
Within half a mile, my longtime friend Danny Sadleir and I were pushing our bikes up the rocky switchbacks leading away from the trail’s northern terminus at the Utah border to make our way south up Buckskin Mountain toward the Kaibab Plateau.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Tour on Two Wheels Bikers can catch a thrill nearby, where almost 40 miles of switchbacks on the Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Trail trace their way through the highest points in the Ozarks.
—Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
The trail ascends to its high point on long switchbacks that ease the climb and maximize scenic views.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
Near the Tennessee state line, crews were finally starting to reach side roads after clearing the main roads winding through switchbacks, but that brought a new set of challenges.
—Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025
On Monday, Inyo County and Mono County Search and Rescue members hiked seven miles to the base of the switchbacks and confirmed the fatality, but inclement weather again prevented the rescue team from carrying the hiker’s body off the mountain.
—Mary Beth “mouse” Skylis, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
Within half a mile, my longtime friend Danny Sadleir and I were pushing our bikes up the rocky switchbacks leading away from the trail’s northern terminus at the Utah border to make our way south up Buckskin Mountain toward the Kaibab Plateau.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
Tour on Two Wheels Bikers can catch a thrill nearby, where almost 40 miles of switchbacks on the Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Trail trace their way through the highest points in the Ozarks.
—Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
The trail ascends to its high point on long switchbacks that ease the climb and maximize scenic views.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 4 Oct. 2024
Near the Tennessee state line, crews were finally starting to reach side roads after clearing the main roads winding through switchbacks, but that brought a new set of challenges.
—Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks
Noun
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Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Now the roads and sidewalks are open, and life is being breathed back into both the small business community and the city, Hoiosen told the Idaho Statesman.—
Rose Evans
November 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Suburbia offered the illusion of moral purity, deepening social segregation as highways allowed a quick access to and from the city centre.—
Fahad Zuberi,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Nava’s patrol car became a memorial after it was parked at the corner of Ellis and 25th streets after his death.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Nov. 2025
-
In September 2025, tens of thousands of young protesters poured into the streets of Kathmandu and stormed Nepal’s Parliament.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The cause for the increase in these fatalities goes beyond driver distraction — such as phones and dashboard touch screens — and, according to the CDC, appears to be linked to the growing number of large, heavy vehicles like SUVs and to America’s penchant for complicated, high-speed roadways.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The city is home to endless freeways, not-great public transportation, dry air and hard water, clout-chasing name-droppers, oppressive wellness culture, and $20 status smoothies (which are delicious, sorry to say).—
Rachel Brodsky,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
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The two battleground districts are linked by freeways on either side of the valley.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There were rows of records, stacks of photos and the original Midnite Jamboree stage where legends like Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Garth Brooks once played.—
Laura L. Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Nov. 2025
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The rows of souvenir shops selling 4-inch-tall plastic Oscar statuettes are not the permanent fate of Hollywood Boulevard.—
Oren Peleg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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It is situated at the intersection of two long thoroughfares — one that runs north to south and a second that runs east to west — which might have been used as processional routes.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
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The project area is about a quarter-mile from where Highway 50 carves northeast through Rancho Cordova, and from the intersection of Folsom and Sunrise boulevards, two of the city’s major thoroughfares.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Lao was struck dead by a driver Sunday night at the intersection of Marysville and Del Paso boulevards in North Sacramento.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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America’s hometown has open arms for all things Mexican food, with choices up and down the main boulevards.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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