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
Jacqueline Railey, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025
According to McKinsey & Company, such efficiency improvements could save healthcare systems up to $200 billion annually by reducing operational bottlenecks and administrative waste.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 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
Rob Toews, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Regular peer reviews focusing on collaborative outcomes rather than individual contributions help maintain momentum, while clear escalation paths prevent the formation of knowledge bottlenecks that covert narcissists often exploit.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Noun
The roadway goes back to six lanes — so a natural bottleneck will be created that will back up traffic for miles, resulting in multiple lanes of slowly moving vehicles — cars, trucks and buses — pumping their exhaust into the air those residents breathe.
—Jacqueline Railey, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025
According to McKinsey & Company, such efficiency improvements could save healthcare systems up to $200 billion annually by reducing operational bottlenecks and administrative waste.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 1 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
In 2023, the critical physical resource bottlenecking AI growth was GPU chips.
—Rob Toews, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
Regular peer reviews focusing on collaborative outcomes rather than individual contributions help maintain momentum, while clear escalation paths prevent the formation of knowledge bottlenecks that covert narcissists often exploit.
—Mark Murphy, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bottleneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bottleneck
Noun
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Trademark documents indicated the name would apply to online and retail stores with lifestyle products including jams, jellies, tablecloths and tableware.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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In the accompanying photo, Meghan is seen drizzling honey onto a croissant beside what appears to be her now-famous jam.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Instead of following a purely linear project plan, effective project leaders focus on steps to successfully validate the problem – and the solution identified to solve it – while never giving up the drive to meet project milestones and achieve financial objectives.—
John M. Bremen,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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New episodes release Fridays, with a linear airing Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime.—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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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
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The result is that California can’t simply dam its way out of water scarcity and will have to make some difficult decisions about who gets to use water.—
Umair Irfan,
Vox,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Automated feedback tools can further enhance engagement by providing instant responses to students, eliminating delays that traditionally hinder progress.—
Balaji Soundararajan,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
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Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately hindered international rescue efforts after the Kursk submarine sank in 2000 in order to protect his country's nuclear secrets, Bill Clinton has alleged.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The upper feature natural nubuck leather and the midsole a compressed EVA foam and carbon fiber shank.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Scuba divers reach depths of roughly 100 feet and have to ingest compressed air containing nitrogen.—
Mariette Williams,
Essence,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Researchers conducted a study where people agreed to block the internet from their smartphones for just two weeks.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
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Protesters blocked trucks carrying Palisades fire debris from reaching a landfill in Calabasas.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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However, any individual who impedes law enforcement operations, potentially threatening the safety of law enforcement agents and subjects of their investigations, is subject to investigation and potential prosecution by the Department of Justice.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
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Without such reform, unmanageable debt will continue to impede these countries from investing in domestic green industrial strategies or in other measures to prevent and respond to climate, health, and other emergencies.—
Mariana Mazzucato,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bottleneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bottleneck. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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