bottleneck 1 of 3

as in jam
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement a bottleneck inevitably forms at the start of a construction zone when the highway narrows from three to two lanes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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bottleneck

2 of 3

adjective

bottleneck

3 of 3

verb

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 bottleneck
Noun
When supply bottlenecks emerged because of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, companies jacked up prices for food, energy, and other goods, worsening inflation. Mariana Mazzucato, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 This type of genetic loss is called a bottleneck and is the consequence of population reduction. Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The impact of the pre-bottleneck period is attenuated, because much of the population was simply not genetically sampled. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2013 To compare pre- and post-bottleneck genetic diversity, the researchers sequenced DNA from 1,000-year-old penguin bones on the island. Sarah Zhang, Discover Magazine, 22 Feb. 2012
Verb
This will likely happen when the graphics card is bottlenecked by either the game engine or your CPU. Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025 The storm is also slated to take place over the weekend after a national holiday, potentially bottlenecking major airports across the country. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottleneck
Noun
  • The annual event will feature vendors, strawberries, strawberry jam, themed basket drawings and arts and crafts.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2025
  • For anyone worried that the end of American Riviera Orchard means no more artisanal jam, which Meghan famously gifted to A-list pals last year, fear not.
    Meredith Kile, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The law also requires linear TV providers to use the Advanced Television Systems Committee's (ATSC’s) recommended practices.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 28 Feb. 2025
  • New episodes release Fridays, with a linear airing Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Dexter bought the resort in 1883 and supported it as a luxury draw for 13 years, until Twin Lakes were dammed, a mere year after the cabin’s construction.
    James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Instead of creating huge reservoirs to dam the rivers and compromise their delicate ecology, Bhutanese turbines harness their natural flow, meaning a glut of power during the sodden summers and a dearth during the parched winters.
    By Charlie Campbell/Gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Use facial sunscreens and moisturizers also formulated for your face since heavier body creams can clog your pores.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This native generosity explains why Trump and Musk have gone to such lengths to clog the internet with falsehoods and hide the consequences of their cruelty.
    George Packer, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Hamby noted older teens in high school should be mindful of behaviors that hinder their personal growth.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Traders were also worried by economic data from the U.S., which raised alarm that Trump’s policies could hinder the U.S. economy.
    Amala Balakrishner,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Spring training always represents a small sample, and this is even smaller given the compressed calendar before the Cubs face the Los Angeles Dodgers (March 18-19).
    Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025
  • But this groin injury will likely keep James, who is listed as out for Monday, sidelined for a significant amount of games during the Lakers’ compressed stretch of games over the next couple of weeks.
    Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Given iMessage blocks such links, the texts include instructions to either reply or copy the link into Safari to make payment.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Judges already have issued more than 40 orders to temporarily block Trump's actions.
    Susan Page, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Records showed that Worthy had been arrested Friday by deputies and held in the county jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking in common terms.
    Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy was arrested Friday and booked into a central Texas jail on suspicion of assault of a family member by impeding breathing/circulation, according to Williamson County, Texas jail records.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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