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
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 knotty
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 knotty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knotty
Adjective
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With a set that featured lush green hills and intricate cultural motifs, the visuals matched the depth of his message: Puerto Rican culture was front and center — not for explanation but for celebration.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
12 July 2025
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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
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The tough part is deciding between a leather sofa or a plush number made with performance fabric.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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Certainly tariffs are adding to economic uncertainty and complicate decision-making for the Federal Reserve.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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The president acknowledged that resolving the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine is proving to be more complex than anticipated.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The place where Dante cast endless sinners, upside down in hellholes of their own carving, or in the tangled forest of suicides, or with the fratricides in the ninth circle, all of them eternally condemned.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
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After a lengthy and tangled dispute over ownership of one of South Florida’s oldest Christian Orthodox churches, its long-time leadership has lost a pivotal legal battle — and the keys to the sanctuary, at least for now.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knotty. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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