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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in groupings
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit
knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tangles
to twist together into a usually confused mass
the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of knots
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
The aircraft cruises at 75 knots and can sprint at 90 knots.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
Saronic’s website describes the Corsair as being capable of carrying up to 1,000 pounds over 1,000 nautical miles, with a top speed surpassing 34 knots.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
The target size and number of Bantu knots will depend on your preference, as well as your hair length and density.
—Amira Rasool, InStyle, 8 June 2026
Attendees will explore a variety of types of vertical support structures and learn to tie different rope knots and lashings useful for creating plant support structures for our own garden.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Small craft should exercise caution near Treasure Coast waters due to southeast winds at 15 to 20 knots and choppy seas of 3 to 4 feet.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Temperatures of negative five degrees Celsius could be found at five thousand feet of elevation, wind speed fifteen knots.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Murray is the principal race officer of both SailGP and the America’s Cup, and Roberts finds herself in a double-act working alongside him, managing a tight race course for SailGP’s fleet of foiling F50 catamarans, which are capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 26 May 2026
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
Alternatively, owners can opt for two 1,622 hp CAT C32 units that afford a top speed of 16 knots, a cruising speed of up to 14 knots, and a range of 1,750 nautical miles.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 June 2026
The aircraft cruises at 75 knots and can sprint at 90 knots.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
Saronic’s website describes the Corsair as being capable of carrying up to 1,000 pounds over 1,000 nautical miles, with a top speed surpassing 34 knots.
—Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
The target size and number of Bantu knots will depend on your preference, as well as your hair length and density.
—Amira Rasool, InStyle, 8 June 2026
Attendees will explore a variety of types of vertical support structures and learn to tie different rope knots and lashings useful for creating plant support structures for our own garden.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Small craft should exercise caution near Treasure Coast waters due to southeast winds at 15 to 20 knots and choppy seas of 3 to 4 feet.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Temperatures of negative five degrees Celsius could be found at five thousand feet of elevation, wind speed fifteen knots.
—Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
Murray is the principal race officer of both SailGP and the America’s Cup, and Roberts finds herself in a double-act working alongside him, managing a tight race course for SailGP’s fleet of foiling F50 catamarans, which are capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 26 May 2026
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
-
Even if that worked for Palm Beach County, there are no similar millionaire clusters in poor counties to pick up the slack.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
What grabbed my attention were the intriguing, foot-long violet flower clusters known as panicles hanging amidst the slender, dark green leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
4 June 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
-
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
6 June 2026
-
But the show’s relationship to the novels is a refreshingly flexible one, as are its links to the 1994 Neil Jordan film.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Liverpool’s struggles at right-back have been well-documented this season, with Alexander-Arnold’s sale to Real Madrid followed by injury problems for Bradley and new signing Jeremie Frimpong.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
Severe erosion in recent years means less sand buffer to safeguard the homes, erosion problems Wedge bodysurfer Sean Starky has been watching the past few years as the ocean inches closer to the homes.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
9 June 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 necessary, cook the chicken (with the marinade still on it) until deeply caramelized on the outside, the chicken releases from the pan and its juices run clear, 4 to 6 minutes per side.—
Emily Weinstein,
Twin Cities,
4 June 2026
-
Its buffet presentation is worthy of a magazine photo shoot, and the manakish is baked fresh, with new batches coming out every few minutes (act fast because the slices go quickly).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The question becomes whether the Blues want to bring in a reinforcement now or let their recent high draft picks take their lumps.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
This fermentation process separates the milk into curds (the thicker lumps of cheese) and whey (the liquid portion).—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
