1
as in intricate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
the knotty problems that arise when every nation is part of the global marketplace
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the candidates cautiously gave their views on an array of knotty issues
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Recent Examples of knotty
Meanwhile, negotiators on Gaza pushed the knottiest issues to later phases of this agreement.
—
Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
But simmering backlash to The Brutalist’s knottier second act—and, to a lesser extent, some scuttlebutt regarding the use of AI—could do it in; that the feature peaks about halfway through has become something of a prevailing opinion.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2025
This serum also did wonders for my typically knotty hair around the winter, and hydrated my roots even after just one application and blow dry.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025
But the real crucible for the mayor is only just beginning to take shape, with her political prospects inextricably tied to the almost unfathomably knotty recovery ahead.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Nicholas Kristof, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025
But simmering backlash to The Brutalist’s knottier second act—and, to a lesser extent, some scuttlebutt regarding the use of AI—could do it in; that the feature peaks about halfway through has become something of a prevailing opinion.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2025
This serum also did wonders for my typically knotty hair around the winter, and hydrated my roots even after just one application and blow dry.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025
But the real crucible for the mayor is only just beginning to take shape, with her political prospects inextricably tied to the almost unfathomably knotty recovery ahead.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knotty
Adjective
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The ornate dress married sheer dressing with a romantic sensibility, featuring a flowing skirt and sleeveless bodice with intricate mesh work.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
30 Apr. 2025
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Straightforward shapes like circles and triangles become intricate and complex in his treatments, enticing viewers and demanding to be examined closely.—
Stephanie Rudig,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Rust, a difficult movie to release, grossed $25k at 115 theaters, presented by Falling Forward Films.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
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Surace 39-37 Round 3 - These are difficult to score.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
The Princess of Wales is coming off a very complicated year.—
Blanche Marcel,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
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Admittedly, the show started to lose some momentum in later seasons as subplots and shifting relationships became more complicated.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s symbolism there—all that tough, hard-to-crack shell hiding a shining pearl—that lends itself well to a tattoo.—
Leah Prinzivalli,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2025
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Jimmie Woods-Gray, a member of the city’s fire commission, said that cutting the Equity Bureau is a necessary step in a tough budget year.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Left unmanaged, these issues can disrupt family dynamics, derail careers, deplete wealth and complicate legacy planning.—
John Samuels,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Shifting trade policies, geopolitical risks, supply shortages and evolving regulatory landscapes all complicate decision-making.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Trump administration – with Musk and his aides as the tip of the spear – have roiled the federal government with mass layoffs and demands for access to sensitive information at agencies including the Social Security Administration and the National Labor Relations Board.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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Coelacanths are highly sensitive to their environment, so the exact location of Chappuis' discovery will remain confidential until further environmental protections are in place.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Those who recognize and act on this shift early will be better equipped to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic threat landscape—safeguarding users, data, and operations in the process. Follow me on LinkedIn.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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The oldest rail tunnel in the world, a London Tube section dating from 1863, was completely renovated — including the complex task of changing the old-fashion ballasted track to modern direct rail fixation — using this repair-in-place approach.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Through shocking testimonies from government insiders, confidential documents, and private audio recordings from the highest level of the military, BODYGUARD OF LIES exposes the tangled web of deception fed to the American public by the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 May 2025
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However, beneath this green boom lies a tangled web of challenges that businesses must navigate to thrive.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knotty. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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