as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
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
There are packs with smart compartments that make organization effortless, weather‑resistant builds that withstand unpredictable conditions, and lightweight designs that won’t slow you down on steep switchbacks.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 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
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
There are packs with smart compartments that make organization effortless, weather‑resistant builds that withstand unpredictable conditions, and lightweight designs that won’t slow you down on steep switchbacks.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 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
-
Authorities said hospital operations had resumed and that major highways, markets and commercial centers were functioning normally by Monday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
While these instruments might be heard loudly on the streets, they have been banned at the World Cup this year in Mexico to prevent excessive noise.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
In fact, this section of the trail is the perfect place to throw away the map (or turn off the Google Maps) and simply wander the cobblestone streets.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The ports, like the main roadways, have become strategic targets for armed gangs, which generate millions of dollars through extortion schemes imposed on truck drivers moving goods in and out of the ports.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
-
The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Los Angeles is famously one of the most car-dependent cities in the world, relying on a spaghetti of interconnecting freeways that spread out across a sprawling area.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 June 2026
-
The suspect sped through streets near Disneyland after driving around several freeways.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Guests milk goats, walk down hydroponic rows, learn how edible flowers act as pollinators in pesticide-free ecosystems, and sit down for farm-to-table meals meant to spark conversation.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
The bad blood dates back to February 2017 when Oakley attended a Knicks home game and sat a few rows behind Dolan's courtside seat.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Where To See Manhattanhenge The best views are from Manhattan’s broad east-west thoroughfares with unobstructed views toward New Jersey across the Hudson River.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The viral Sopranos meme imagines Italian fans leaving behind the Amalfi Coast for six-lane thoroughfares with no sidewalks.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
25 May 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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