as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
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
The suspension bridge over Matthews Creek gives you a great view of Raven Cliff Falls and stable ground to pause and rest your legs between all the switchbacks and steep climbs.
—Stacey Lastoe, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 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
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
The suspension bridge over Matthews Creek gives you a great view of Raven Cliff Falls and stable ground to pause and rest your legs between all the switchbacks and steep climbs.
—Stacey Lastoe, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 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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Three people were killed and one injured in three vehicle crashes on Arkansas roads on Wednesday and Friday, according to preliminary police reports.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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The combination of snow and strong winds is expected to reduce visibility, create slick and icy roads—particularly on bridges and overpasses—and potentially down trees or branches.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Fewer crashes mean safer highways and more reliable deliveries.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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For years, San Diego was largely barred from taking down encampments next to highways because that land is overseen by Caltrans and therefore under state jurisdiction.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Waymo has already mapped out portions of San Diego roads and highways and Nalavade said as early as next week, passersby may see a fleet of all-electric Zeekr RT minivans on area streets, further testing and assessing Waymo software.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Nov. 2025
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Los Angeles — Thousands of fans lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles for a second year in a row to celebrate another Dodgers’ World Series victory.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In several messages, officials cautioned that high-profile vehicles could face difficulty on roadways, and travel may be hazardous.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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San Diego crews have cleared 184 encampments near freeways since the city got access over the summer to state land through a new agreement with the California Department of Transportation.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Oct. 2025
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Several major Phoenix-area freeways will have stretches closed or lanes narrowed this weekend, just before Halloween.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Make small piles or rows throughout the lawn to collect in bins or yard waste bags.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
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Wolf spiders can range significantly in size and have three rows of eyes with eight in total, according to the Australian Museum.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Macy’s chose China Grove for the facility due to its position in the Southeast near major thoroughfares, enabling faster, more efficient service to millions of customers.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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His civic service helped lay the groundwork for a parks and boulevards system that remains a defining feature of Kansas City’s identity.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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