congestion

noun

as in traffic

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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 congestion When speaking to Georgetown’s appeal as a retirement destination, Whitlock also notes its relative affordability (and lack of congestion). — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026 Despite ongoing hurdles around interconnection queues and grid congestion, the scale of deployment shows developers are overcoming technical and regulatory barriers to support rising electricity demand from data centers and electrification. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026 Authorities also reported power outages and traffic congestion. — Reuters, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026 On top of the congestion problem, the Strait of Hormuz disruption is also forcing carriers to rely on more expensive alternative routings and land bridges, tacking on substantial operational costs. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026 Rules in flux Second, growing numbers of visitors pose a risk because attempts to manage congestion may alter access, timing and travel patterns in ways that disrupt gateway businesses. — Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026 The couple lived in Brickell for years before relocating to escape the neighborhood’s noise and congestion. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 Attendees and drivers should expect traffic and congestion around the event and closed roads. — Eva Flowe august 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2026 The comedy of errors that follows as Ina attempts to solve the nation’s problems, from traffic congestion to energy crisis, doubles as a critique of the despotic regime and the tumult of living in such hellish times. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for congestion
  1. traffic
  2. gridlock
Noun
  • Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has remained well below pre-war levels.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The incident marked the city’s 15th pedestrian death and 29th overall traffic fatality of 2026.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of traffic
Noun
  • Seroka cited that there have not been any ships backed up at the port’s harbor in the five years since the San Pedro Bay gateways experienced severe congestion throughout the global trade gridlock experienced in 2021.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • When a power outage knocked out a third of San Francisco’s traffic lights last December, at least 60 Waymos abruptly idled mid-road, causing severe gridlock and delays.
    — Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of gridlock

Browse Nearby Words

congesting
congestion
congestions
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Cite this Entry

“Congestion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/congestion. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on congestion

Nglish: Translation of congestion for Spanish Speakers

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