as in complexity
the state or quality of having many interrelated parts or aspects
the staggering knottiness of the legal procedure that we had to go through
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knottiness
Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 May 2025
The thinking was that future leaders of the city’s public schools should be educators rather than business leaders, which past mayors have hired at times to wrestle with CPS’ knotty financial challenges.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
At the plot-heavy episode’s center is the knotty friendship between June and Janine, who haven’t seen each other since their separation in season four.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
That voice sits atop dreamy keys and knotty electric guitar.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knottiness
Adjective
Commercially, deft handling by discerning arthouse distributors will be required to draw audiences to a knotty, novelistic work that is, in the most rewarding possible way, difficult to package or summarize.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 May 2025
The thinking was that future leaders of the city’s public schools should be educators rather than business leaders, which past mayors have hired at times to wrestle with CPS’ knotty financial challenges.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
At the plot-heavy episode’s center is the knotty friendship between June and Janine, who haven’t seen each other since their separation in season four.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
That voice sits atop dreamy keys and knotty electric guitar.
—Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for knottiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knottiness
Noun
-
As Ernest Burkhart, a simple-minded man manipulated to do unspeakable things, DiCaprio presents his character's moral conflict with complexity.—
Derek Lawrence,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
-
However, depending on the scale of games, concentrating these matches into a limited number of venues may add complexity around coordinating TV broadcast timings, match sequencing, fan transportation logistics, and stadium turnaround times.—
Claire Poole,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Roseanne Cash Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport Roseanne Cash and her longtime performing partner (and husband) John Leventhal play the intricate, rustically ornate Westport Country Playhouse.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
12 July 2025
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Featuring over 3,000 glazed tile mosaics, fresco panels, intricate filigree and brickwork, the wall also encompasses vivid and colorful illustrations of angels and demons, humans and birds, hunting and battle scenes, not to mention plentiful floral and geometric motifs.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
The fire is in difficult country with access issues and firefighters are evaluating options for the right flank and head of the fire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 July 2025
-
Being governor of an American state is one of the great jobs in politics, and Lamont has been a notable success after a difficult start in 2019.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
That stark reality, Wood said, was part of what compelled him to write the book Among the lessons Wood discusses are the importance of healthy communication, the role of community support and the insights drawn from his own complicated relationship with his father.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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While these may seem a bit too complicated for children, the kit is specifically designed for budding engineers aged 8 to 14 and includes easy-to-understand, age-appropriate instructions.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Morton, 43, may take that advice under serious consideration, mentioning how tough the fans – and even fellow cast members – have been on her following this past season’s cast trip to Grenada.—
John Lawson,
Essence,
9 July 2025
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With one out, however, Ohtani was thrown at the plate trying to score from third on Pages’ chopper up the line — making an aggressive, but proper, read in a game in which the Dodgers had long before conceded that runs would be tough to come by.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The district has tried to be conservative on replacing items as efforts to form a fire territory complicate issues of investment and ownership.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Certainly tariffs are adding to economic uncertainty and complicate decision-making for the Federal Reserve.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
The thundering crackles and sharp bangs of pyrotechnics can not only frighten dogs but also cause discomfort to their sensitive ears.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
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This usually involves receiving a fake text, email or even a phone call designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing sensitive information.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Regulatory/Compliance For some businesses, government regulations and industry compliance or ethics standards create an entire facet of business management that is complex and ambiguous.—
Sherre DeMao,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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His approach is at odds with how major trade agreements have been produced over the last half-century, detailed sessions that could sometimes take years to solve complex differences between nations.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knottiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knottiness. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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