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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of knotty
Think of the band’s poles with earthy Americana at one extreme and freaky, knotty jams at the other.
—
Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Based on John le Carré's 1993 novel, the six-part season unspooled the knotty tale of Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston), a former soldier and hotel night manager tasked with taking down a powerful arms dealer named Richard Roper (Laurie).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, reframing is a valuable means of viewing and solving knotty problems.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Their work, together and apart, eventually took them to some of the most knotty and high-profile spots in defense law.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
Based on John le Carré's 1993 novel, the six-part season unspooled the knotty tale of Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston), a former soldier and hotel night manager tasked with taking down a powerful arms dealer named Richard Roper (Laurie).
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, reframing is a valuable means of viewing and solving knotty problems.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026
Their work, together and apart, eventually took them to some of the most knotty and high-profile spots in defense law.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knotty
Adjective
-
Fiddle-leaf figs, with their bold, rounded leaves, pair beautifully with round motifs, while palms, with their slender, whispery fronds, are perfect for accenting more delicate or intricate prints.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
20 Feb. 2026
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Almost as soon as it’s completed, this intricate system becomes invisible forever when the foundation and then the building itself are placed over it, leaving no room for errors.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But having dodged the traps of the social media news era, The Economist now faces looming long-term structural challenges that may be more difficult to avoid.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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Frontflips are generally more difficult than backflips for both humans and robots.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Our approaches can be critical, satirical, comical, dramatic, poetic, but will always be complex and complicated.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This is a complicated portrait of a person who believed in the good of wild animals and ultimately died as a result.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Takaichi has proposed tougher policies on immigration and foreigners, something that resonates with a growing frustration in Japan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Bryant was tough to stop and scored nine of her 23 points in the first quarter.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
His sloped shoulders suggested bodily power that was sleepy and sly; his large head and dark, badly cut hair amplified the weight and solidity of him, but his lips were sensitive and a little slack, as if yearning for something he’d been long deprived of.—
Mary Gaitskill,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
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Derived from eucalyptus wood, the material is gentle on sensitive skin, manages moisture, and has a silky, luxe texture.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The unusual building is even more complex and fascinating when viewed up close, so take time to walk all the way around it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Beyond stellar evolution, the computational techniques developed for the study could help researchers model complex flows in oceans, atmospheres, and even blood circulation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This one is a bit more problematic, as the process of power generation is hard.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Feb. 2026
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However, the Roberts opinion’s refusal to credit the historical novelty of the government’s action may prove problematic in the future.—
Sandeep Gopalan,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knotty. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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