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
The home includes knotty timber detailing and is arranged around a large open living area that connects to the outside with double glass doors.
—
New Atlas,
1 June 2026
Every state already has laws on the books for such record-clearing, but the process is complicated and requires people to navigate a knotty legal system.
—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
The conference comes at a knotty moment for the Democratic Party.
—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
20 May 2026
Since its opening, Moth Days has caught the eyes and hearts of a public that was apparently hungry for knotty rumination on troubled institutions.
—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knotty
New Atlas,
1 June 2026
Every state already has laws on the books for such record-clearing, but the process is complicated and requires people to navigate a knotty legal system.
—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
The conference comes at a knotty moment for the Democratic Party.
—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
20 May 2026
Since its opening, Moth Days has caught the eyes and hearts of a public that was apparently hungry for knotty rumination on troubled institutions.
—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knotty
Adjective
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Coben, who also serves as an executive producer, explains the difficulty of creating the intricate inner worlds of each character and their doubts about David, all while dropping hints that reveal David's innocence in each episode.
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The Arabesque necklace, for example, which requires 1,450 hours of work, features intricate rose gold illuminated by 18 fancy rose-cut diamonds.
Adjective
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Aviation experts said those conditions would have been difficult to navigate that evening when the helicopter, a Robinson R66, crashed in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.
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But traffic on the waterway remains a fraction of pre-war levels with different authorities vying to organize the transit of vessels, leaving operators with a difficult choice over which path to take.
Adjective
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But a closer examination paints a more complicated picture.
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The city also has some of the world’s most complicated rules about air-conditioning installation.
Adjective
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
Adjective
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These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.
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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.
Adjective
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The process is meant to mitigate the chance of any sensitive instruments being damaged, Katalyst said in a press release.
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Mars activates your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, motivating you to tackle sensitive matters with courage and protect what truly matters.
Adjective
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Storms involve complex flows originating over a wide region and evolving in complicated ways.
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Police say the violence on Sydney’s streets is being orchestrated from abroad – and teenagers are being lured into the complex web of gang warfare with the promise of fast cash.
Adjective
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Or will society collectively begin to see this as problematic?
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Calories Burned Chasing a calorie burn is especially problematic, according to De Leon.
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knotty. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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