1
as in cramps
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 tricks
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 whims
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kinks
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2026
As for relaxation, the lodge has a heated outdoor pool, fire pits, and a full-service spa to work out those post-ski kinks.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
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
The hope is that administrators worked out all the kinks from the last time the school system went remote, which resulted in a systemwide crash.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
For wellness finds, pick up a heated neck massager that can work out kinks from your couch, or an TheraFace LED face mask to improve your complexion, also from your couch.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The on-again, off-again couple have been dating for over a decade and have (mostly) worked out the kinks of joking about their relationship in public.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
SpaceX seems to have worked out much of the kinks developing the Super Heavy booster responsible for launching Starship — though a recent mishap of the booster's latest version did rupture during a pressurization test.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
Al-Rashid has an opportunity to iron out the kinks before spending substantially more cash on his dream boat.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Feb. 2026
As for relaxation, the lodge has a heated outdoor pool, fire pits, and a full-service spa to work out those post-ski kinks.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
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
The hope is that administrators worked out all the kinks from the last time the school system went remote, which resulted in a systemwide crash.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
For wellness finds, pick up a heated neck massager that can work out kinks from your couch, or an TheraFace LED face mask to improve your complexion, also from your couch.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The on-again, off-again couple have been dating for over a decade and have (mostly) worked out the kinks of joking about their relationship in public.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
SpaceX seems to have worked out much of the kinks developing the Super Heavy booster responsible for launching Starship — though a recent mishap of the booster's latest version did rupture during a pressurization test.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kinks
Noun
-
Before his illness, things seemed to be on the mend with his cramps.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
So even though the literature on the link between menstruation and cramps is limited, the peripheral benefits of the nutrient may still contribute to easier and less painful periods.—
Audrey Bruno,
SELF,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In chats among Kalshi traders on the online forum Discord, some show their reluctance to reveal their trading tricks by misdirecting.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Coleman was known for her daring stunt tricks in the air.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Airports were named for geographical locations, not to satisfy political whims.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the Year of the Horse galloped in, revelers ushered in the most prominent festival on the Chinese Lunar calendar with some quirks – from Kung Fu robots to Harry Potter’s teenage nemesis – and some reflection.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Musicians and studio heads in the audience nodded along as the producers and engineers spoke of some of the quirks of Brian’s production approach — some unique to the project and period, like his timely fixation on analog synths; some more long-lasting.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These aren’t just vague wellness notions.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In the heyday of ESG investing, trillions poured into vague notions of sustainability with a vision of enormous returns but without a clear plan.—
Justin Worland,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dry all surfaces completely and replace knobs, drip pans, and coils back on the stove.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
These characteristics are amplified by Fire, a flamboyant element that represents boldness, passion, and action.—
Marie Bladt,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Reliable characteristics in your players.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The vagaries of the schedule are something that figures to hamper MLS teams all season.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
But this is not a story about two best friends who break up because of the vagaries of popularity, and Coleman’s Callie is not a villain who breaks Minnie’s delicate heart.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kinks. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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