as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
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Recent Examples of switchbacks
There are 52 switchbacks on this trail, which was completed in 1918, with panoramic views along the way and an up-close look at the rock’s geological intricacies.
—
Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Descend its famously crooked path, flanked by cascading hydrangeas and storybook Edwardian homes—then watch cars zigzag through eight tight switchbacks while tourists crowd the sidewalks, snapping photos of its surreal descent.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
The lawyers said others pursuing the Grand Teton Fastest Known Time also cut out switchbacks using the Old Climber’s Trail.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 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
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
Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Descend its famously crooked path, flanked by cascading hydrangeas and storybook Edwardian homes—then watch cars zigzag through eight tight switchbacks while tourists crowd the sidewalks, snapping photos of its surreal descent.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
On straight paths, tracking is solid, but switchbacks and dense forests increase the risk of losing sight of the subject—or clipping a tree.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 1 Jan. 2026
The lawyers said others pursuing the Grand Teton Fastest Known Time also cut out switchbacks using the Old Climber’s Trail.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 12 Nov. 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
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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In Spain's southern Andalusia region, close to 4,000 people evacuated their homes as a result of the ongoing storm, and dozens of roads remained closed because of flooding and landslides.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
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The battery technology, aiming to hit public roads by mid-2026, could significantly reduce fire risks while improving performance in extreme heat and cold.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Immigration enforcement efforts in Oklahoma also have focused heavily on apprehending commercial truckers driving on interstate highways.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This would be like adding streets and highways to the city neighborhoods.—
Amber Dance,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While Olympians in Milan walked into a packed stadium with flashing lights and thumping techno music played by a DJ at a turntable that looked like ice, the mountain ceremonies took place through the streets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The uncertainty of the day led many businesses to close and kept many Haitians off the streets.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Donny praised the skill of the Indonesian pilots for landing on roadways only half as wide as airport runways.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Chicago Ridge police and a Metra spokesperson said the derailment between Ridgeland Avenue and Central Avenue closed several major roadways and disrupted Metra train service.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ninety-three miles of new highway lanes are planned for our freeways, with the goal of alleviating congestion.—
Chris Roberts,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Here's how to track snowplows in Michigan In Wayne County, road-clearing trucks first prioritize freeways, then move to county primary and secondary roads, subdivisions and gravel roads, in that order, Tomocik said.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Videos that have leaked out of Iran and were verified by NBC News show rows and rows of body bags inside and outside the facility as families try to identify their relatives.—
Babak Dehghanpisheh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Attendees can expect shows from high-profile design houses like Coach, Sergio Hudson and Norma Kamali, their front rows now doubt packed with A-listers.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those areas are most often clustered around major thoroughfares in the city such as Farmington Avenue, Asylum Avenue, Wethersfield Avenue, Washington Street and Broad Street.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
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The city focuses its efforts on bridges and overpasses, major thoroughfares and high-traffic corridors.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Both turnpikes are currently classified as state highways, said Darian Butler, OTA engineering director.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoma Voice,
4 Feb. 2026
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Most of the construction happening right now is occurring on the highways, turnpikes, and interstates that get most residents through their daily commute.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Switchbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/switchbacks. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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