knotty

knot·ty

adj \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

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See Synonym Discussion at complex

Rhymes with KNOTTY

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