knotty

knot·ty

adjective \ˈnä-tē\

knot·ti·erknot·ti·est

Definition of KNOTTY

: marked by or full of knots; especially : so full of difficulties and complications as to be likely to defy solution <a knotty problem>

— knot·ti·ness noun

Examples of KNOTTY

1. <the knotty problems that arise when every nation is part of the global marketplace>
2. <the candidates cautiously gave their views on an array of knotty issues>

First Known Use of KNOTTY

13th century

Related to KNOTTY

Synonyms

baroque, byzantine, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute, involved, complex, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled

Antonyms

noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated

Related Words

overcomplex, overcomplicated; composite, compound, heterogeneous, mixed, multibranched, multifaceted, multifarious, multipart, varied; challenging, difficult, tough; impenetrable, incomprehensible, inexplicable, Kafkaesque, unfathomable, unintelligible

Near Antonyms

oversimplified, simplified, simplistic; homogeneous, uniform, unvaried

See Synonym Discussion at complex

Rhymes with KNOTTY

Ate, dotty, grotty, plotty, potty, snotty, spotty, squatty