congest

verb

kən-ˈjest How to pronounce congest (audio)
Definition of congestnext
as in to obstruct
to prevent passage through by filling with something the usual weekend traffic congested the region's highways

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 congest At the time of the collision, both northbound lanes were congested because of a lane closure north of the crash scene. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 June 2026 The tissue layers surrounding the brain (meninges) were congested in the area of the stingray spine. — Mark Price june 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2026 Your pores might be congested with gunk or product residue, so double-cleansing can make all the difference. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 23 June 2026 The National League wild-card race is congested. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for congest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congest
  1. obstruct
  2. block
Verb
  • All are one-party systems designed to obstruct political competition, and all have varying degrees of state interference in the marketplace.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • That was followed by Foster City police stating Thursday that a person has been booked on suspicion of causing a fire that injured firefighters, and obstructing police and fire investigators probing the blaze.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruct
Verb
  • Then, use the cotton balls to block areas where vermin may try to enter.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The Kennedy Center's board is expected to meet Thursday to consider plans for the performing arts venue's future after a federal judge blocked an earlier move for a two-year closure that would allow for substantial renovations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of block

Browse Nearby Words

congés
congest
congested
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congest. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on congest

Nglish: Translation of congest for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All