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
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 knotty
The jazz polymath wrote, played, produced, and mixed everything on his new solo album, weaving overlapping loops and knotty counterpoints into a dynamic suite of interconnected pieces.
—
Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
This year California voters will choose a new governor, fill other statewide offices, elect 100 state legislators and 52 members of Congress and weigh an array of knotty ballot measures.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
Democrats, hungry to win a Senate race for the first time since 1988, see an opening, but have their own knotty race to figure out.
—Thomas Beaumont, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
And at a time of deep polarization, this moment is testing how far Britt, and other lawmakers, are willing to go to tackle knotty policy problems captivating national attention.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
This year California voters will choose a new governor, fill other statewide offices, elect 100 state legislators and 52 members of Congress and weigh an array of knotty ballot measures.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
Democrats, hungry to win a Senate race for the first time since 1988, see an opening, but have their own knotty race to figure out.
—Thomas Beaumont, Arkansas Online, 2 Mar. 2026
And at a time of deep polarization, this moment is testing how far Britt, and other lawmakers, are willing to go to tackle knotty policy problems captivating national attention.
—Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knotty
Adjective
-
As many clubs in the lower leagues look to ape the intricate build-up popularised by elite managers such as Pep Guardiola, have Bromley just demonstrated that long-ball football still works?—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Though often dismissed as bubblegum soul, the early Jackson 5 hits were intricate and infectious.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But there are other factors that make calculating the distance of future Artemis missions a little complicated.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Considering the lack of answers from the private lab, Moore believes the hair sample is rootless, which makes identification way more complicated.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightly coated with oil and tossed occasionally in a searing hot skillet or wok, even tough beans turn silky, and ready to coat in a finishing blast of chiles.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
Comfortable travel can be achieved with stretchy, breathable pants, but securing a pair that hits those marks while looking stylish can be tough.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The ability to acquire land in fee simple is essential and, in many cases, the most effective and expedient way to protect sensitive landscapes, especially in rapidly developing areas.—
Susan Carr,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Eating large amounts or consuming them on an empty stomach may increase the likelihood of discomfort in sensitive individuals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But by tweaking this archetype again and again, Chan transforms a cheap gimmick into a complex ecosystem of life-forms.—
Dawn Chan,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This long-term evolution culminated in the training of an algorithm capable of accurately interpreting and recognizing complex patterns of electrical pulses within the system.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some content creators are compensated, and this also creates problematic incentives in the system.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not just problematic for poorer communities but also for affluent suburbs like Cheshire that get sparse state funding.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knotty. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
