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
Relevance
as in linear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to dam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bottleneck
Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
According to Indian government officials, the decision came as the world’s most populous nation is facing its own supply chain bottlenecks for exports.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Brynn Cooksey, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
And currently this is bottlenecked on the human population.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Noun
This effort is already reaching its limits, with a bottleneck at the highest levels, as only a few officials make all the decisions, and divisiveness on the ground, as rival factions resist being absorbed by the new regime.
—Jerome Drevon, Foreign Affairs, 11 Apr. 2025
According to Indian government officials, the decision came as the world’s most populous nation is facing its own supply chain bottlenecks for exports.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Apr. 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
Many trade allies and contractors lack the labor needed to meet project demand, causing workforce bottlenecks that impact both urban and rural economies.
—Brynn Cooksey, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
And currently this is bottlenecked on the human population.
—Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottleneck
Noun
-
The new Ramona Grange Growers Exchange at 215 Seventh St. attracted eight vendors who sold produce, sourdough bread, homemade jams, honey and other assorted items.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
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Finish and Store Transfer jam to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator up to 1 month.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Who knows where the progress that Haiti was making on its own linear path would have taken it?—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Comcast late last year announced plans to spin off its cable outlets, including the progressive cable channel, as the company, like many others, takes major losses on its linear television assets and looks to retool itself around digital and streaming offerings.—
Dominick Mastrangelo,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This combined with nitrogen pollution and the upriver damming of the Ocklawaha River has adversely affected whole ecosystems.—
William McQuilkin,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
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Catch up quick: Glen Canyon is home to particularly sensitive ecosystems and archeological sites that have been threatened since the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation dammed the Colorado River there in the 1960s.—
Erin Alberty,
Axios,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Take breaks: Because makeup can clog pores, cause irritation, and expose you to chemicals, going without it one or two days per week can help your skin recover from stress and rebalance itself.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Ash can smother crops, block sunlight and clog the tiny stomata, or pores, in leaves that allow plants to exchange gases with the atmosphere.—
David Kitchen,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Leaders worldwide are promoting minimal AI regulation to drive innovation and avoid hindering growth.—
Art Gilliland,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Being smart with money now, as well as brand building, is crucial to making sure your on-the-field duties are not hindered.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In his side pack, officers found 50 grams of compressed fentanyl, $1,126 in cash, and a revolver.—
Jason Motlagh,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2025
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In sectors such as healthcare, compressed timelines heighten the pressure to innovate without compromising safety, security or privacy.—
Ed Gaudet,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Scouts raved about his pass-catching ability and pass blocking.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Mangione's attorneys have sought to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The department in January ordered prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal charges any state or local officials who obstruct or impede federal functions.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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In a January memo, the department instructed prosecutors to consider criminal charges against state and local authorities who obstruct or impede federal operations.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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