tailbacks

noun

plural of tailback, British
as in jams
a crowded mass (as of cars) that impedes or blocks movement stuck in a five-mile tailback on the southbound carriageway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tailbacks Backup tailbacks haven’t impressed Neither Jaylen Wright nor Ollie Gordon II has impressed enough to assure Miami’s coaches and front office figures that the running game will be adequate if something happens to De’Von Achane this season. — Omar Kelly august 24, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 That should allow star running back De’Von Achane to find space to scoot around the edge, or for rotational tailbacks Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II to pound it along the left side. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026 The team’s tailbacks were led by Jordan James and rookie Kaelon Black. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 29 May 2026 At some point on Saturday, or before, look at the tailbacks most likely to be on the board after Round 2 or Round 3. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026 The Broncos also will need more production from tailbacks Jaleel McLaughlin and RJ Harvey, who combined for 41 rushing yards across just 10 carries against Buffalo. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026 The 49ers didn’t have a single running back break 300 yards last season, and while the line struggled to open holes, the tailbacks couldn’t hold on to the ball. — Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Jan. 2026 But mostly, the Bills have allowed star tailbacks to run amok. — Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailbacks
  1. jams
  2. snarls
  3. bottlenecks
Noun
  • Meghan’s As Ever lifestyle company is based in California, and sells products associated with a high-end Californian lifestyle – rosé wine, flower sprinkles and jams, as Boshoff reported.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The seller of Folgers coffee and Smucker’s jams also raised its forecast for profit over the full year.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of jams
Noun
  • The wildly popular Instagram page was offline for a hot minute, leaving the general pop pining for videos on the myriad zany happenings in our city, from traffic snarls and celebrity shenanigans to animal encounters and fights outside the club.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • The state Department of Transportation is scheduled to install temporary three-way stop signs at the intersections during a road project that’s already created mind-numbing traffic snarls and angry and confused drivers.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Definition of snarls
Noun
  • Aside from building new hubs, India’s government has sought to bolster the country’s air cargo capabilities by removing the mandatory rescreening of transshipment cargo at transit stations to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sure, there are still bottlenecks galore (memory, power, a limited number of fabs).
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of bottlenecks

Browse Nearby Words

tailback
tailbacks
tailed
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Cite this Entry

“Tailbacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailbacks. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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