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
Relevance
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
-
It has historically also been used for migraines, fatigue and stomach cramps.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
And finally, having ample levels of magnesium can keep calcium from building up inside your muscles, which may ward off cramps and tension.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other royals allegedly have their own tricks—like Princess Kate, who’s said to use a clutch bag to avoid endless handshakes.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
-
One of my best tricks of the trade?—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As a medium tied to evolving technology and the whims of capital, film has panic about its future baked into its very foundations.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Trump’s fixation about coal is another of his whims of iron, like tariffs.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For the sufferer, however, the illness is lived as a singular nexus between culture, temperament, circumstance, and the body’s quirks.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Come for the obvious hooks, stay for the more subtle quirks.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The brand new house aims to shake up the old publishing playbook by exploding notions of genre and form, and celebrating the subcultures driving artistic innovation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone was looking for an edge, and that trumped clinging to old notions.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 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
-
The motion to disqualify Robinson, at this point an allegation, touches upon one of the defining characteristics of the Supreme Court — that discussions among judges when deliberating over decisions are confidential.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Every building has distinguishing characteristics.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As a result, those close to him have felt that there have been some vagaries around his role within the team since his arrival.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The vagaries of the schedule are something that figures to hamper MLS teams all season.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kinks. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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