1
as in cramp
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle
got a kink in my neck from lying in that awkward position for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in trick
an odd or peculiar habit
the boss's fondness for nicknames is one of those kinks that staffers just have to put up with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whim
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
whenever he got a kink in his head, he'd drop whatever he was doing to pursue this latest obsession
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kink
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Kent Lee, who initially backed the fees, urged Gloria to pause them until the kinks are worked out of the system.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
The container should be big enough to accommodate the roots without bending or kinking them.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kink
Noun
My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Kent Lee, who initially backed the fees, urged Gloria to pause them until the kinks are worked out of the system.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
Each attachment can connect to an extra-long, 22-foot hose that doesn’t kink, and is flexible enough to easily maneuver around obstacles and corners.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Jan. 2026
The container should be big enough to accommodate the roots without bending or kinking them.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kink
Noun
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The citrate pulls water into the colon and causes a laxative effect, stomach cramps or gas, Cassetty and Shelgikar said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
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Her hands had lasting damage—cramps and pains that got worse as the temperature outside got colder.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This under-$40 Amazon pick totally does the trick, and even comes with a little matching pouch.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
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The previous reader confirmed that the engine can be remote started with this trick using the key-fob.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At some point this past fall, Hegseth’s under-secretary for research and engineering, the former Uber executive Emil Michael, reviewed the Pentagon’s arrangement with Anthropic and was dismayed to find that Claude could not be deployed according to the government’s every whim.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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But Ederra and crew push their whims further.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Loop pile carpeting As the name suggests, loop pile carpeting is made of thick loops of yarn.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
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What really sets this pillow a part from the rest are the Velcro straps on the back, designed to loop around a plane seat's headrest, helping to keep your head upright and take any pressure off your neck.—
Meaghan Kenny,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In 2023, pop singer Bebe Rexha was struck in the face when a concertgoer threw a phone directly at her during a Manhattan show, splitting her eyebrow and requiring stitches.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
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Merritt said Thompson sustained a black eye and bruises and received stitches in her lower lip.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Nijman’s retirement was a surprising twist for the Panthers’ offensive line depth chart.—
Mike Kaye
March 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
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Other twists came in the form of California rolls (drizzled with truffle oil) and yellowtail tuna (diced and served in mini taco shells).—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pale blue yarn stretched from the loom to a warping peg affixed to the lip of a Fender Deluxe Reverb amplifier, now requisitioned as part of the weaving setup.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 Mar. 2026
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Geological pressure can warp fossils over millions of years.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Satellite analysis by the AP shows that the school, as well as other targets struck the same day, had characteristics visible from the air that could have identified them as civilian sites before they were struck.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
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As Americans shifted their attention to both British enemies and Indian enemies, these propaganda campaigns became more strident and generated debates about racial characteristics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kink. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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