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
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
-
Several videos filmed in Simferopol, Crimea’s second city, and posted online show empty roads and public spaces.
-
Most access points are reached from the west side, coming through Meeker, and Grimes noted that despite the isolation, the gravel roads are well-maintained, meaning a passenger vehicle should get you to most trailheads.
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.
-
In the city of Taoyuan, home to the island's largest international airport, tanks drove down city streets and highways, videos and photos of the exercise showed, as armored vehicles from the Army’s 269th Infantry Brigade conducted combat readiness patrols morning.
Noun
-
Located at Reed and First streets in downtown’s SoFA district, the building was purchased out of foreclosure in May for $175 million.
-
The excavation, which began in September of last year and will conclude in July, uncovered a public bathhouse, residential blocks, luxury townhouses, streets, and a tower dating back nearly 2,000 years.
Noun
-
On Wednesday, Mayor Mary Sheffield announced a $58 million investment to repair 27 miles of residential streets and 17 miles of major roadways.
-
Police have released a set of new photos of Oscar Sanchez-Munoz, the man suspected in a series of shootings on Kansas City roadways in June.
Noun
-
Oscar Sanchez-Muñoz, of Independence, Missouri, allegedly shot several people indiscriminately along freeways and roadways the evening of June 16, Kansas City police said.
-
Many of our readers may remember that old promise that by 1973, our dear tollways would become freeways.
Noun
-
After returning from the front rows of Miami Swim Week, The MD Effect founder Matt Dillon says this season's biggest shift is swimwear designed to move effortlessly from beach to bar.
-
Even when words had a short /u/ vowel, spellings like wulf, wud and wunder would have been too confusing in the era of manuscript writing, what with its rows of upright quill strokes.
Noun
-
From the dramatic California coast to the historic thoroughfares of New England, the United States is brimming with scenic drives.
-
Foot traffic has slowed to a trickle, and the restaurant’s layout — with an almost entirely open wall that looks onto one of Boyle Height’s busiest thoroughfares — isn’t helping.
Noun
-
As transportation networks expanded—first with canals and turnpikes, and later with railroads—rural isolation began to fade.
-
Both turnpikes are currently classified as state highways, said Darian Butler, OTA engineering director.
Cite this Entry
“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
