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
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
In terms of performance, the concept is envisioned with a cruising speed of approximately 16 knots and a maximum speed of over 20 knots, which NAR says aligns with the expectations for this size and type of vessel.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Northeast winds between 20 and 25 knots were expected to push seas up to 11 feet for all Hawaiian waters, the small craft adivsory said.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The announcement this week from City Hall in our most American of cities tied itself in knots trying to avoid celebrating what it actually was supposed to be celebrating.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Young sailors will learn water safety, basic terminology and how to tie knots.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Susanna, the warm and experienced therapist, is on hand to carry out an array of treatments; the hot candle wax massage soon dissolved my lingering knots of tension.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Her daylong courses on knots, shelters, and fire starting have waiting lists of almost all women.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 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
Commercial airplanes cruise at speeds of up to 600 miles per hour (521 knots) at altitudes between 30,000 and 42,000 feet, levels which are specifically selected to reduce disturbances.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
The works retain visible traces of labor—knots, frayed edges, layered threads—emphasizing the physical act of making.
—Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
In terms of performance, the concept is envisioned with a cruising speed of approximately 16 knots and a maximum speed of over 20 knots, which NAR says aligns with the expectations for this size and type of vessel.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026
Northeast winds between 20 and 25 knots were expected to push seas up to 11 feet for all Hawaiian waters, the small craft adivsory said.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The announcement this week from City Hall in our most American of cities tied itself in knots trying to avoid celebrating what it actually was supposed to be celebrating.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Young sailors will learn water safety, basic terminology and how to tie knots.
—Jessie Dax-Setkus, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
Susanna, the warm and experienced therapist, is on hand to carry out an array of treatments; the hot candle wax massage soon dissolved my lingering knots of tension.
—Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026
Her daylong courses on knots, shelters, and fire starting have waiting lists of almost all women.
—Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 19 Mar. 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
-
But the livers of some patients have been found to contain clusters of cells that produce an enzyme capable of breaking down the toxins.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The two nearly identical side-by-side clusters are approximately 7,000 light-years apart.—
Mike Lynch,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 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
-
The state is investing $6 billion to expand the state’s broadband network and increase Internet links for families and businesses.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
When in a forest, stay in proximity to shorter tree groupings.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Codas, or groupings of clicks, were longer during the birth and then became shorter after the newborn emerged, the authors wrote in Scientific Reports.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wilcox sued Tarrant County GOP chair Tim Davis when she was removed from the ballot in the House District 98 primary because of problems with her paperwork.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
While some funding exists to address problems, state documents show, there is not enough money to cover all the drinking water projects that need attention in Indiana.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wire pin or slicker brushes work best for dogs with long hair that tangles easily.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Is there a better aroma than batches of cookies cooking in your kitchen?—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Working in 2 batches, cook short ribs, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes per batch.—
Jenny Rosenstrach,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Add American cheese, remaining 1 cup cheddar, and reserved soaking water; stir vigorously until most of the cheese is melted (some small lumps of cheese will remain and that is OK) and water is absorbed.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Most lumps such as these are noncancerous lipomas, or fatty tumors, and a decision on whether to remove them is based on whether the lumps interfere with movements or threaten other issues.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
