pileups
Multi-vehicle highway wrecks
Pileups are accumulations or backups, especially chain-reaction collisions on highways where multiple vehicles crash into one another: A pileup on the freeway closed three lanes.
The word extends to any overwhelming buildup: a pileup of unread emails, a pileup of dirty dishes in the sink.
Sudden violent impact
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- fender-benderMinor vehicle collision
- rear-endButtocks or tail collision
- smashupViolent vehicular collision
impact · crumple · multicar · accident · head-on · totaled · debris · airbag
Cooked fruit spread
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- bottleneckConstriction limiting throughput
tailback · snarl-up · bumper-to-bumper · standstill · slowdown · logjam · rubbernecking · rush-hour
crash
Sudden violent impact
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- fender-benderMinor vehicle collision
- rear-endButtocks or tail collision
smashup · impact · crumple · multicar · accident · head-on · totaled · debris · airbag · whiplash
jam
Cooked fruit spread
- congestionExcessive accumulation causing blockage
- gridlockComplete mutual obstruction
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
bottleneck · tailback · snarl-up · bumper-to-bumper · standstill · slowdown · logjam · rubbernecking · rush-hour · queuing
heap
Jumbled collection of items
backlog · mountain · stockpile · clutter · amassing · overflow · excess · surplus · paperwork · laundry
mayhem
Violent disorder and destruction
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- catastropheDevastating, large-scale misfortune
havoc · turmoil · mess · confusion · disarray · bedlam · commotion · frenzy · disorder · scene
- ice stormsfreezing rain, sleet, ice pellets, ice buildup, black ice
pileupsfender benders
Minor vehicle collisions
near misses · close calls · scrapes · dings · love taps
pileupsdispersals
Acts of spreading outward
scatterings · spread · distributions · separations · clearances
- freeway pileupChain-reaction highway crash
- multi-car pileupSequential collision involving numerous vehicles