1
as in snarl
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement
thousands of cars trying to leave the stadium's parking lot at the same time are sure to create a jam
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in pickle
a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape
the heavy rain puts us in a real jam: all of the preparations are for a garden wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to block
to prevent passage through by filling with something
firefighters found the nightclub's doorways jammed with trapped patrons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fill
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
the inn will jam a guest's picnic basket with an array of tempting foods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of jam
Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
The lefty allowed three hits, walked four and was especially effective when stuck in a jam.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
On Capitol Hill, the Powell probe has jammed up the confirmation process for the president’s pick to replace Powell as chair, economist Kevin Warsh.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jam
Noun
Expect their greatest hits like lamb belly massaman curry, Hat Yai fried chicken, and clams and mussels with chile jam, ‘nduja, lime leaf, and sourdough.
—Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
The lefty allowed three hits, walked four and was especially effective when stuck in a jam.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
The government has stepped up anti-terror monitoring, citing global tensions and large crowds of international fans, while police deployed surveillance vehicles and jamming equipment to block unauthorized drones.
—ABC News, 20 Mar. 2026
On Capitol Hill, the Powell probe has jammed up the confirmation process for the president’s pick to replace Powell as chair, economist Kevin Warsh.
—Brian Cheung, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for jam
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jam
Noun
-
And when transportation snarls, that means any business that needs somebody to be somewhere at a particular time feels an immediate impact.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The lengthy delays to get through security checkpoints come as more travelers are going on trips for spring break and running into snarls because of the partial government shutdown.—
Austin Denean,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
A little girl who loved green aliens, drinking pickle juice and picking buttercups in the field with her mom.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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Megan Thee Stallion is a genuine fan of the product — she was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before any brand partnership existed.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He was named the MaxPreps Colorado Player of the Year after consistently stuffing the stat sheet, affecting the game in every way while also playing dynamic defense.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
-
At least 33 bodies — including children and dismembered remains stuffed in sacks — were unearthed from a mass grave in western Kenya on Thursday, raising questions about whether the corpses were secretly moved from a hospital morgue.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the maneuver, a deputy or officer or trooper uses the front of his or her patrol car to push the rear corner of a fleeing car or truck, forcing it into a spin and allowing the officer to block the car and bring it to a stop.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
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Cuba has taken a severe economic hit since the US effectively blocked its oil supply earlier this year, depriving its aging electricity network of its main source of fuel.—
Sol Amaya,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For every event that closes, such as the Johannesburg Biennale (held in 1995 and 1997) and the Marrakech Biennale (2004–16), others, like the Lagos Biennial (founded in 2017) and the Stellenbosch Triennial (founded in 2020), emerge to fill the void.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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Hernandez’s supervisors asked her to fill a new role in 2018, a job that did not exist anywhere else in the state.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Knicks were able to close the gap behind 17 first-quarter points from Brunson but Charlotte took command late in the second quarter and pushed the lead to 10 at halftime with a series of 3s from Knueppel, Ball and Miller.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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That pushed him over the threshold of 250 made 3-pointers this season, making Knueppel the lone player in NBA history age 22 or younger to connect on that many.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The new school sits beside Star Middle School on Pollard Lane, something that has raised concerns from nearby residents about traffic congestion.—
Noah Daly,
Idaho Statesman,
30 Mar. 2026
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Located in the town of Jewar, about 50 miles southeast of New Delhi, officials hope that Noida will help alleviate the congestion at Indira Gandhi International.—
Aishwarya S Iyer,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Mar. 2026
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For the present, we’re saddled with the unwieldy dilemma of there being eight major Democratic candidates and just two Republicans.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jam.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jam. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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