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
Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Flip on the gas, though, and a pair of Caterpillar C32 engines allow Marsa Luna to hit a max speed of 16 knots and a 4,500-nautical-mile range.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
Later, when both groups of residents were practicing their knots, the quiet eye group was told to employ sustained gazes while the control group was not.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
CruiseHive reported that the ship was traveling at a slower rate of 14 knots (16 miles per hour) as opposed to the top speed of 22 knots (25 mph).
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Winds could blow at around 25 to 30 knots (roughly 28 to 35 mph) on Friday afternoon, NWS said.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
The haphazard plot twists itself into knots to include Jeremy Pope’s unfortunately eponymous character, before moving on to far shorter flings with equally monotonous cast members.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
It is expected to exceed 25 knots during the trials.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
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
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
Meanwhile the question of whether events contracts on sports amount to financial derivatives or gambling is dividing the sports gambling industry — and tying federal courts in knots.
—Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Flip on the gas, though, and a pair of Caterpillar C32 engines allow Marsa Luna to hit a max speed of 16 knots and a 4,500-nautical-mile range.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
Later, when both groups of residents were practicing their knots, the quiet eye group was told to employ sustained gazes while the control group was not.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
CruiseHive reported that the ship was traveling at a slower rate of 14 knots (16 miles per hour) as opposed to the top speed of 22 knots (25 mph).
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Winds could blow at around 25 to 30 knots (roughly 28 to 35 mph) on Friday afternoon, NWS said.
—Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 22 Jan. 2026
The haphazard plot twists itself into knots to include Jeremy Pope’s unfortunately eponymous character, before moving on to far shorter flings with equally monotonous cast members.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Jan. 2026
It is expected to exceed 25 knots during the trials.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
However, proto-clusters, or still-forming galaxy clusters, appear far earlier.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
2 Feb. 2026
-
To create the most impactful small flower bed, pinpoint a few key areas in your front yard and plant clusters of perennials rather than attempting to fill entire garden beds, says Janney.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
31 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
-
Beijing has spent decades growing its trade ties and bankrolling projects in the region, to boost transportation links and cut energy costs – cementing its own influence along the way.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.—
Shawna Hudson,
StyleCaster,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With five defensive backs on the field most of the time, Patterson’s scheme is intended to adjust to any offense, allowing for his defense to limit substitutions and match up against most personnel groupings.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
After a top coat, Sun added asymmetrical groupings of rhinestones, jewels, sequins, and caviar beads for a truly otherworldly outcome.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Advocates say overcrowding is at the center of many of the jail's ongoing problems, from maintenance failures to safety concerns, and argue that recent flooding highlights deeper, long-standing issues.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The problems with that are 1) convincing the Kings to take back long-term salary for Sabonis and 2) the Raptors are nearly $1 million into the luxury tax and would love to get under that threshold before the deadline.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 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 as needed, arrange in a single layer in air-fryer basket.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Usually beer is blended from multiple different, unpredictable batches of beer to create a balanced, complex product.—
Don Tse,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt, breaking up any lumps.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Sarcoidosis produces lumps or nodules in the lungs.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
