1
as in snarls
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 pickles
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 blocks
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 loads
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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of jams
Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
And all shows and jams ceased to exist.
—Des Moines Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Rosauer struck out 10 in her four innings for Yorkville (1-3), wriggling out of several jams and teaming with senior reliever Ellie Fox to strike out 16.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Beyond the pedestrianized streets and bike lanes, the familiar cacophony of drivers honking their frustration is, if anything, louder than ever — as are the grumbles from those who rely on buses now snarled in endless jams.
—Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Some items sold by the brand include jams and honey, tea and wine, candles, chocolate and other similar products.
—Tracy Wright , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Leaving behind the scooter jams and smoothie-bowl queues of the Bali coast feels less like a commute and more like an exorcism.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Travelers have been facing additional jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown strains screener staffing.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In addition, travelers were facing jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown continued to strain screener staffing.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
The move effectively jams the upper chamber by including the repeal in the funding package without the necessary time to reverse course, giving the Senate no option but to approve it.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Traffic regularly jams the freeway into the city, and residents fight over efforts to build more homes.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Someone breaks in, someone jams the signal from the home’s alarm system, someone monitors police radio traffic.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
After Dex takes her down, Weyland recovers her brain and jams it into a supercomputer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
Working with strict limitations—no more than five instruments; just one hour to make each track—the two West Coast leftfield vets turn out a surprisingly expansive set of wooly electronic jams.
—Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 30 Mar. 2026
And all shows and jams ceased to exist.
—Des Moines Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Rosauer struck out 10 in her four innings for Yorkville (1-3), wriggling out of several jams and teaming with senior reliever Ellie Fox to strike out 16.
—Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Beyond the pedestrianized streets and bike lanes, the familiar cacophony of drivers honking their frustration is, if anything, louder than ever — as are the grumbles from those who rely on buses now snarled in endless jams.
—Lisa Courbebaisse, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Some items sold by the brand include jams and honey, tea and wine, candles, chocolate and other similar products.
—Tracy Wright , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Leaving behind the scooter jams and smoothie-bowl queues of the Bali coast feels less like a commute and more like an exorcism.
—The Editors, Outside, 18 Mar. 2026
Travelers have been facing additional jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown strains screener staffing.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In addition, travelers were facing jams at airport security checkpoints as a partial government shutdown continued to strain screener staffing.
—CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
That crud jams up the works of your coffee maker, slows brewing down, and impacts the taste of your morning brew.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026
The move effectively jams the upper chamber by including the repeal in the funding package without the necessary time to reverse course, giving the Senate no option but to approve it.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
Traffic regularly jams the freeway into the city, and residents fight over efforts to build more homes.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2025
Someone breaks in, someone jams the signal from the home’s alarm system, someone monitors police radio traffic.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2025
After Dex takes her down, Weyland recovers her brain and jams it into a supercomputer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jams
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
-
But the open kitchen concept, with local produce and jars of pickles on display for guests to touch, taste, and smell, makes going off-menu just as enticing—just ask the chef for suggestions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Megan Thee Stallion ‘Was Gonna Eat This Anyway’ Megan Thee Stallion, who was publicly spotted combining Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with actual pickles before the partnership ever came together, is a genuine fan of the product (and flavor).—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ribs and the brisket are the stars of the show, and the Ultimate BBQ Combo Sandwich stuffs a long hoagie roll with brisket, sausage, and pulled pork plus bacon, Cheddar, and pickles.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kinney lovingly stuffs the view of the boat’s cabin and upper deck with props and details that reward the eye.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The hotel sits in the North Loop area of Minneapolis, blocks away from the iconic Hennepin Street Bridge with easy access to the riverfront parks along the Mississippi, with their great cycling and walking trails and varied perspectives on the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The orientation of entrances blocks front desk employees from seeing activity in the lobby area.—
Elliot Mann,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The island, where Iran loads nearly all its oil exports, is seen as a potential target if Washington decides to hit Iranian energy or to use ground troops to seize it.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
-
While trees — oak, birch, maple — dominate early spring, grass pollen often overlaps in late spring from May to June, leading to higher, more intense allergy loads for sufferers.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That leaves a sicker, older, more expensive pool of enrollees, which pushes up premiums for everyone.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Our standards, our accountability and the way the group pushes each other every day, that is what has sustained our performance independent of who the head coach is.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Journeys that used to take entire seasons were being covered in single episodes, characters survived predicaments that once meant surefire death, and previously relevant factors like supplies, infrastructure, and alliances no longer mattered.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Victorian novels made good use of the predicaments of second and third sons, who had to become ministers or soldiers or schemers, and daughters who needed to be married off according to age.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Director Allan Deberton crams much story and characterization in those opening frames.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, the show crams everything into a space that can't hold it, culminating in this past third season that exploded with too much of practically everything.—
Matthew Razak,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Jams.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jams. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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