1
as in intricate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
the knotty problems that arise when every nation is part of the global marketplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the candidates cautiously gave their views on an array of knotty issues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 knotty
But the more important issue to address also will be the knottiest politically.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2024
If more power is needed to cope with knotty traffic or to blitz up a highway onramp to merge with traffic streaming through Downtown LA’s Heart of Darkness where the 110, 101, 10 and 5 coalesce, the gas engine kicks in, bringing a grand total of 313 horsepower and an impressive 406 lb.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
His Warriors strikes the same knotty balance between reverence and corrective reassessment as a modern Disney remake.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
That finding has several important implications, particularly for confronting the knotty question of how people might overcome the tendency to submit to malevolent authority.
—Laura Niemi, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knotty 
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2024
If more power is needed to cope with knotty traffic or to blitz up a highway onramp to merge with traffic streaming through Downtown LA’s Heart of Darkness where the 110, 101, 10 and 5 coalesce, the gas engine kicks in, bringing a grand total of 313 horsepower and an impressive 406 lb.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
His Warriors strikes the same knotty balance between reverence and corrective reassessment as a modern Disney remake.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
That finding has several important implications, particularly for confronting the knotty question of how people might overcome the tendency to submit to malevolent authority.
—Laura Niemi, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for knotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knotty
Adjective
-
Later home felt everywhere, radiant waters, thistles, greenest hilltops dotted with sheep, masses of tulips and geese, wandering William’s intricate paths, pausing at every turn, life stretching ahead, mountains of bliss and searing sorrow for years to come.Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Being able to produce such an intricate affair — from the decorating to the cooking to the conversation — was seen as an accomplishment at the time, per Julier.Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But extracting data from a phone can be extremely difficult, depending on the model of the phone and the operating system.Holly Yan, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024
-
Add Fragrance That earthy pine scent is one aspect of a real tree that is difficult to part with when making the switch to faux.Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Some, like comedy kingpin Chuck Lorre, have more complicated deals that may eclipse those of the mega-earners due to back-end compensation terms for shows that perform well.Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The author also shares his account of the complicated history of baking fundamentals like sugar, flour, and vanilla.The Bon Appétit and Epicurious Staffs, Bon Appétit, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In a time when people approach political, social and economic issues with a different set of information and fake news is rampant, the best way to do that is to approach tough conversations with stories rather than facts.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
-
The clients’ storefronts are positioned to succeed in a sometimes tough marketplace by focusing on exclusivity and quality.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Sizable costs levied on businesses, costs that needlessly harm and complicate exchange for customers and businesses alike.John Tamny, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024
-
May dilute ownership and complicate decision-making.Geri Stengel, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Hot sauce: This won't make the final dish hot, but if anyone is sensitive, it can be skipped.Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2024
-
Amphibians, including frogs and salamanders, are more vulnerable, Urban found, perhaps because their habitats are more sensitive to environmental changes.Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Fighting a complex legal battle is expensive, even for someone like Mangione who appears to come from wealth, Rainey Reitman, board president for Freedom of the Press Foundation said.Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
-
More complex ideas include adding a sunken bathtub, installing a terrazzo backsplash, or picking out midcentury modern style faucets.Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The water that flooded into some tents in Deir al-Balah soaked everything inside, leaving blankets and carpets a tangled, dusty mess.Abeer Salman, CNN, 29 Nov. 2024
-
In this scenario, employees fill the vacuum of information with a tangled web of emotions around AI—most of them negative—and adoption is less likely to happen.Larry English, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near knotty
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knotty. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share