as in chunks
a small uneven mass
toss a knob of butter into the frying pan
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Recent Examples of knobs
Having sat with Jones in their home studio, Ronson understood the language of digital sound meters, tape machines and knobs and faders, as well as the importance of reading the room.
—
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
While the Earth system is unfathomably complex, Mills has been able to reproduce the broad trajectory of our climate over the ages by turning just four knobs — each of which modulates the carbon dioxide budget.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
How Often To Clean Door Handles Door handles need cleaning daily or weekly, with knobs in high-traffic areas needing more frequent cleaning and those used less often requiring less.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
The film is manually wound through the camera via hand knobs at either side, with a frame counter keeping track of how many exposures have been taken.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Other nods to retro goodness include backlit VU meters, lots of knobs and a folding handle.
—Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
That's a shame because using the knobs requires two hands to prevent the TinyTV from toppling.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Choose hardware that reflects your personal style—antique brass for a traditional look, matte black for modern minimalism, or colorful ceramic knobs for a playful touch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2025
To study them, astronomers use complex models that have many knobs and switches.
—Andrej Prša, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
While the Earth system is unfathomably complex, Mills has been able to reproduce the broad trajectory of our climate over the ages by turning just four knobs — each of which modulates the carbon dioxide budget.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
How Often To Clean Door Handles Door handles need cleaning daily or weekly, with knobs in high-traffic areas needing more frequent cleaning and those used less often requiring less.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025
The film is manually wound through the camera via hand knobs at either side, with a frame counter keeping track of how many exposures have been taken.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Other nods to retro goodness include backlit VU meters, lots of knobs and a folding handle.
—Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
That's a shame because using the knobs requires two hands to prevent the TinyTV from toppling.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Choose hardware that reflects your personal style—antique brass for a traditional look, matte black for modern minimalism, or colorful ceramic knobs for a playful touch.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2025
To study them, astronomers use complex models that have many knobs and switches.
—Andrej Prša, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knobs
Noun
-
The hox gene clusters have two chunks of regulatory DNA that help set the activity of the genes within the cluster, one upstream of the genes, one downstream.—
John Timmer,
ArsTechnica,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The ring particles mostly range from tiny, dust-sized icy grains to chunks as big as a house.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Add butter and pulse until the mix clumps together to form pea-size balls.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
12 Sep. 2025
-
If the plaque weakens and breaks apart, large clumps are released into the blood stream, and a large clump can block an artery, completely shutting off blood flow and causing a heart attack.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But a safe containing fat wads of cash and a large cocaine stash presents an opportunity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Lush lumps of rock crab arrived in a flying saucer made of ice and covered with kohlrabi shaved thin as a layer of frost.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
These lengthening formulas prioritize coating each lash sleekly, with no bumps or lumps of product.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
My rubber-shod toes were pressed on little nubs the size of chicken nuggets.—
Emily Meg Weinstein
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
All of those pieces add cost, but the full cure is the most important thing.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
After spending lots of time resetting the social media company’s AI strategy—and gobs of money hiring the best technical talent imaginable—Meta is making even more changes.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The electric motors add 242 horsepower—and gobs of low-end torque.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knobs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knobs. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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