as in inventories
a large number of jobs or items that are waiting to be finished or processed
We have a huge backlog of orders yet to be filled.
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Recent Examples of backlogs
Clinics are dealing with staffing shortages, appointment backlogs and a system buckling under administrative weight.
—
Saran Siva,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Sea Rangers offer a Swiss Army knife’s dexterity, pursuing government contracts across the European Union and United Kingdom to tackle the tedium of climate compliance and the drudgery of clearing those backlogs.
—
Richard Morgan,
Time,
29 June 2026
Viewed alongside shipments, inventories, and backlogs, durable goods orders can provide valuable clues about business investment, consumer demand, and the economy’s overall direction.
—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
On-site, behind-the-meter generation lets operators scale without waiting on the grid or hitting consumers in the wallet, and rapid-deployment options like fuel cells can keep pace with development otherwise constrained by gas-turbine backlogs and long nuclear lead times.
—
Vimal Kapur,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
During the pandemic, backlogs ballooned as embassies and consulates temporarily suspended routine visa services.
—
Bailey Berg,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 June 2026
In his latest letter, Bisignano also outlined steps the IRS has taken to address longstanding case backlogs, particularly those involving identity theft victim assistance cases.
—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Seroka noted that cargo continues to move unimpeded through the port, with no vessel backlogs or cargo delays.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Host cities and the travel industry expressed significant concerns over extensive wait times for visa interviews, which came down because Congress set aside $50million to reduce backlogs under Biden.
—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Saran Siva,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Sea Rangers offer a Swiss Army knife’s dexterity, pursuing government contracts across the European Union and United Kingdom to tackle the tedium of climate compliance and the drudgery of clearing those backlogs.
—
Richard Morgan,
Time,
29 June 2026
Viewed alongside shipments, inventories, and backlogs, durable goods orders can provide valuable clues about business investment, consumer demand, and the economy’s overall direction.
—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
On-site, behind-the-meter generation lets operators scale without waiting on the grid or hitting consumers in the wallet, and rapid-deployment options like fuel cells can keep pace with development otherwise constrained by gas-turbine backlogs and long nuclear lead times.
—
Vimal Kapur,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
During the pandemic, backlogs ballooned as embassies and consulates temporarily suspended routine visa services.
—
Bailey Berg,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 June 2026
In his latest letter, Bisignano also outlined steps the IRS has taken to address longstanding case backlogs, particularly those involving identity theft victim assistance cases.
—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Seroka noted that cargo continues to move unimpeded through the port, with no vessel backlogs or cargo delays.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
16 June 2026
Host cities and the travel industry expressed significant concerns over extensive wait times for visa interviews, which came down because Congress set aside $50million to reduce backlogs under Biden.
—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backlogs
Noun
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Using a common fighter fleet simplifies logistics by reducing the need for separate maintenance systems, spare parts inventories and specialised training programmes.
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European allies and Canada scoured their inventories to see what could be offered should one of them come under attack.
Noun
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This could include sniffing around more than usual or barking and growling at odd places like piles of leaves.
-
The alternating placements of the piles/objects are very precise, which creates a series of chicanes, indicating they are not intended as obstructions but rather to prevent rapid ingress and egress by any vehicle toward the tunnels.
Noun
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The shipment includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, including supplies for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention and treatment, according to the United Nations.
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At donation centers across Miami-Dade County, members of the Venezuelan community are collecting supplies for victims while anxiously waiting for news from home.
Noun
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Designers are curating dedicated accessory collections or reimagining signature styles in PVC and glossy finishes, from Chloé and Tory Burch to Diesel.
-
While once exclusive to skateboarders for their ease of movement, thanks to a crop of particular designers’ spring/summer 2026 collections—from Dries Van Noten, to Khaite and TWP—they’ve caught the eye of the fashion set, too.
Noun
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Earlier this spring, two hobbyist treasure hunters uncovered one of the largest Viking coin hoards ever found in Norway after discovering dozens of silver coins in a field.
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Though bronze objects had been found previously, with other Wendel rings reported surfacing nearby, neck rings are typically found buried with other goods or in hoards.
Noun
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Rodríguez said emergency economic measures will include relief funds for victims and temporary waivers on documentation and property registration fees to facilitate housing relocation.
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State funds will cover half of the incentive amount, and auto manufacturers will cover the other half.
Noun
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Missile and drone stockpiles grew as money flowed to terrorist proxies across the Middle East.
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Thinning Russian air defense stockpiles and Ukraine's ever-increasing drone production have helped Kyiv seize new momentum this year, with analysts and some regional leaders seeing the tide slowly turn away from Russia's favor.
Noun
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As the Eaton and Palisades fires roared across the Altadena area and the coastal Santa Monica Mountains in January 2025, the flames were fueled in part by accumulations of bone-dry chaparral, brush and other vegetation.
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The snowpacks that feed the river hit their lowest level on record this year, with snow accumulations in Colorado’s high country peaking a month early in March and containing just half the average moisture.
Cite this Entry
“Backlogs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backlogs. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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