as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
The road is a mix of tight switchbacks, sudden grades and blind curves that can humble lesser vehicles.
—
Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 5 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
There are 52 switchbacks on this trail, which was completed in 1918, with panoramic views along the way and an up-close look at the rock’s geological intricacies.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Descend its famously crooked path, flanked by cascading hydrangeas and storybook Edwardian homes—then watch cars zigzag through eight tight switchbacks while tourists crowd the sidewalks, snapping photos of its surreal descent.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
The lawyers said others pursuing the Grand Teton Fastest Known Time also cut out switchbacks using the Old Climber’s Trail.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 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
Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 5 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
There are 52 switchbacks on this trail, which was completed in 1918, with panoramic views along the way and an up-close look at the rock’s geological intricacies.
—Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Descend its famously crooked path, flanked by cascading hydrangeas and storybook Edwardian homes—then watch cars zigzag through eight tight switchbacks while tourists crowd the sidewalks, snapping photos of its surreal descent.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
The lawyers said others pursuing the Grand Teton Fastest Known Time also cut out switchbacks using the Old Climber’s Trail.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for switchbacks
Noun
-
Hydroplaning is the term for when a vehicle begins sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Morris mentioned pedestrian caps possibly being built along various roads in the downtown area to encourage people to explore local businesses more easily.—
Hedija Spahalic,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is especially true when traveling long distances away from expressways and major highways, where fast Tesla Superchargers are now common.—
Adam L. Neal,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Over time, the state also built a huge transportation and logistics sector, driven by its highways, railroads and airports for both cargo and passengers.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
QueenEr’Re was the second 11-year-old to be killed on the block since early 2023, the latest loss in an area already marked by streets named for Derrick Turnbow and Domonic Davis, whose young lives were also claimed by gun violence.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
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Reaching Captiva Island is part of the charm—a drive over the Sanibel Causeway, through Sanibel’s artsy streets, then across Blind Pass Bridge into a quieter, more secluded world.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Some major California roadways, including Interstate 80 and Interstate 880, require three or more occupants in the HOV lane.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While no freeways will be closed, some on-ramps and off-ramps will be temporarily blocked.—
Holly Andres,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The Arizona Department of Transportation plans and constructs new freeways, additional lanes and other improvements across the Phoenix area as part of the Regional Transportation Plan for the Maricopa County region.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Plant the Right Way Plant tiny carrot seeds about ¼ inch deep in rows spaced about 1 foot apart.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Chappell Roan has been the one to watch in the front rows of Paris Fashion Week this year.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cinespace Studios Los Angeles is located in a bustling retail district on one of the Valley’s major thoroughfares, Victory Boulevard.—
Todd Longwell,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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But plentiful footage of Iranian munitions impacting hotels, airports and major thoroughfares in major Gulf cities indicates otherwise.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 2026.
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