1
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
from the summit we could see knots of houses up and down the river valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in swellings
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
felt a small knot on the back of his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in links
a uniting or binding force or influence
their business partnership is strengthened by the knot of personal friendship
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4
as in groupings
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit
knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall
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5
as in problems
something that requires thought and skill for resolution
the situation involved so many legal knots that we decided to get a lawyer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tangles
to twist together into a usually confused mass
the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knots
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2026
The announcement this week from City Hall in our most American of cities tied itself in knots trying to avoid celebrating what it actually was supposed to be celebrating.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Young sailors will learn water safety, basic terminology and how to tie knots.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Susanna, the warm and experienced therapist, is on hand to carry out an array of treatments; the hot candle wax massage soon dissolved my lingering knots of tension.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Her daylong courses on knots, shelters, and fire starting have waiting lists of almost all women.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
All unlisted knots must be approved.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
There's also a popular new method for creating boho braids, called miracle knots, that makes achieving the style easier than before.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The result is a reductive unfurling that frames each one as bullet points that must be touched upon through obligation, rather than related knots or tears in a larger social fabric.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025
Stories like these usually lurch from one contrivance and complication to the next, but Chad Powers knots itself into a genuinely thorny conflict by the finale.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
As for grunt, the Zeelander 8 can be equipped with up to four Volvo Penta IPS-1350 engines that afford a top speed of 40 knots, a cruising speed of 32 knots, and a range of 2,700 nautical miles at 7 knots.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2026
The announcement this week from City Hall in our most American of cities tied itself in knots trying to avoid celebrating what it actually was supposed to be celebrating.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Young sailors will learn water safety, basic terminology and how to tie knots.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Susanna, the warm and experienced therapist, is on hand to carry out an array of treatments; the hot candle wax massage soon dissolved my lingering knots of tension.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Her daylong courses on knots, shelters, and fire starting have waiting lists of almost all women.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 2026
All unlisted knots must be approved.
—Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
There's also a popular new method for creating boho braids, called miracle knots, that makes achieving the style easier than before.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The result is a reductive unfurling that frames each one as bullet points that must be touched upon through obligation, rather than related knots or tears in a larger social fabric.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
No matter how many knots a lawyer ties themselves in to get there, legality is not legitimacy.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025
Stories like these usually lurch from one contrivance and complication to the next, but Chad Powers knots itself into a genuinely thorny conflict by the finale.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knots
Noun
-
This leads to a network of galaxies, galaxy groups, galaxy clusters, and large-scale filaments of structure, with enormous cosmic voids between them.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The project is designed to meet surging demand for the heavy-lift rockets needed to put clusters of satellites into orbit.—
Jim Wyss,
Bloomberg,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Infection is rapid, causing swellings in the lymph nodes (buboes) and leading to septicaemia and pulmonary infection.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The messages often use alarming language and may include links or QR codes that lead to fake websites made to resemble IRS login pages.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
All through the years in between, his willful yet easy-looking dominance carried his game to new heights of public enthusiasm, the sight of a charming, unmatchable demigod inspiring millions of ordinary Americans to hit the links.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The silver carpet at our ultra-exclusive celebration after the Oscars 2026 was jam-packed with mini family reunions, including groupings of siblings, parents and their kids, and even a stray grandparent in the mix.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wilcox sued Tarrant County GOP chair Tim Davis when she was removed from the ballot in the House District 98 primary because of problems with her paperwork.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
While some funding exists to address problems, state documents show, there is not enough money to cover all the drinking water projects that need attention in Indiana.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wire pin or slicker brushes work best for dogs with long hair that tangles easily.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Initially, tickets started at $60 and could be as much as $6,730 — though those increased in subsequent batches.—
Maya Davis,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The website also claims that all of Sorce’s perfumes are formulated in small batches in Charlotte and then hand bottled.—
Samantha Husted,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
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Most lumps such as these are noncancerous lipomas, or fatty tumors, and a decision on whether to remove them is based on whether the lumps interfere with movements or threaten other issues.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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