1
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
from the summit we could see knots of houses up and down the river valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in swellings
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue
felt a small knot on the back of his head
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in links
a uniting or binding force or influence
their business partnership is strengthened by the knot of personal friendship
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4
as in groupings
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit
knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in problems
something that requires thought and skill for resolution
the situation involved so many legal knots that we decided to get a lawyer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tangles
to twist together into a usually confused mass
the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knots
Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Their long, silvery-blue spiral arms are peppered with bright knots and specks, the telltale signposts of active, messy astrophysics in progress.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
As for grunt, the new biz jet gets its juice from a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, allowing the aircraft to dart to a max speed of 441 knots.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2026
The system can operate at up to 18 knots, enabling high-area coverage during minehunting missions.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
For hundreds of years, Andean people recorded information by tying knots into long cords.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Wind speeds of 50 knots were recorded over the eastern part of the lake.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 29 Dec. 2025
The comb’s patent-pending design works overtime to ensure even the deepest of knots and thickest of hair types are detangled without breakage or uncomfortable tugging.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Dec. 2025
Michael Quirk of the water police told ABC that conditions at the time of the search were choppy, including strong south-westerly winds that approached up to 35 knots.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025
Stories like these usually lurch from one contrivance and complication to the next, but Chad Powers knots itself into a genuinely thorny conflict by the finale.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
But the wind was blowing 30 knots and was forecast to blow even harder, and upon arrival at Lizard Island’s front desk I was informed that all boat operations had been canceled, and would likely stay that way for a while.
—Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Their long, silvery-blue spiral arms are peppered with bright knots and specks, the telltale signposts of active, messy astrophysics in progress.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026
As for grunt, the new biz jet gets its juice from a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, allowing the aircraft to dart to a max speed of 441 knots.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 7 Jan. 2026
The system can operate at up to 18 knots, enabling high-area coverage during minehunting missions.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025
For hundreds of years, Andean people recorded information by tying knots into long cords.
—Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
Wind speeds of 50 knots were recorded over the eastern part of the lake.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 29 Dec. 2025
The comb’s patent-pending design works overtime to ensure even the deepest of knots and thickest of hair types are detangled without breakage or uncomfortable tugging.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Dec. 2025
Michael Quirk of the water police told ABC that conditions at the time of the search were choppy, including strong south-westerly winds that approached up to 35 knots.
—David Chiu, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
No matter how many knots a lawyer ties themselves in to get there, legality is not legitimacy.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025
Stories like these usually lurch from one contrivance and complication to the next, but Chad Powers knots itself into a genuinely thorny conflict by the finale.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knots
Noun
-
Inside, the last clusters of conversation continued over champagne and the remnants of that improbable charcuterie spread.—
Rachel Marlowe,
Vanity Fair,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The advisory described clusters of poisoning cases around Monterey and the San Francisco Bay Area.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Infection is rapid, causing swellings in the lymph nodes (buboes) and leading to septicaemia and pulmonary infection.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Businesses with links to the IRGC became Iran’s sanction-circumventing apparatus, controlling imports, managing currency exchanges, and monopolizing access to restricted goods.—
Narges Bajoghli,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The goal is cohesion, and using materials, shapes, and plant groupings that feel intentional—from the curb all the way to the front door.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
6 Jan. 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
These water issues suggest potentially costly problems with the foundation, mold, or drainage system.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Congress, as the legislative branch, needs to seek bipartisan solutions to some of the major problems facing the United States today.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wire pin or slicker brushes work best for dogs with long hair that tangles easily.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Working in batches if needed, arrange pickles in a single layer in air-fryer basket (do not overcrowd).—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The contractors would be given batches of 50,000 names at a time, and are expected to provide photos of homes and workplaces, according to federal contracting data.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lined up next to rookie left tackle Josh Simmons and veteran center Creed Humphrey, Suamataia took some lumps in the first two preseason games before settling in for a clean sheet in the third look against the Bears.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
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Learning how to tell if a cheesecake is properly baked or how to mix the batter free of lumps, are lifetime skills that will prove useful in the future.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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