ropes 1 of 2

Definition of ropesnext
plural of rope
1
as in mechanics
the characteristic peculiarities and technicalities of something needs a mentor who will show her the ropes of running a catering business

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in brass tacks
the specific practical details of something still learning the ropes of her new job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ropes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rope

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ropes
Noun
More than a dozen candidates are running to replace her in Georgia's 14th congressional district, including one Democrat who knows the ropes. Irene Wright, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026 The tower was hand-painted by a crew of men, suspended by ropes, connected to pickup trucks 160 feet below them. Stephanie Threinen, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026 Firefighters had to use ropes and harnesses to get into the shaft and rescue the teenager. Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026 Supporters also hope to steer some of the money to recipients of the state’s new — and on the ropes — Family Affordability Tax Credit, or the FATC. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026 On tour with Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros, a late-period side project, Don Was took a shot at the resistance ropes Weir would hook up to a tree on the side of a road. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026 Those competitors carry gear such as avalanche transceivers, crampons, ice axes and climbing ropes. Evan Bush, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026 Other items that can easily get wrapped and tangled in machinery include ropes, wires, cords, Christmas lights, hoses, and tarps. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026 Secure the tarp with bungees, ropes, rocks, or a combination of items heavy enough to keep it down tightly. Steven John, Architectural Digest, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ropes
Noun
  • The flight departed again and arrived in Atlanta about 90 minutes behind schedule, said Delta, which didn't go into specifics about the passenger's behavior.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
  • No specifics about actual economic impact, job creation or loss, or tourism growth were discussed in the meeting.
    William Earl, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Operating the facility safely will require close to 100 staff members, which directly ties to the broader recruitment and retention challenges at the Sheriff’s Office.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Dark, moody walls make the natural-wood bench and light floors stand out; a charming white dome pendant light ties the space together.
    Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • His bars are packed tight with jokes and an unwieldy personality, bursting with vocal quirks and tricks that show a rapper growing into his most confident self.
    Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Inevitably, their strengths and quirks seeped into the composer’s head so that the musicians helped shape the score instead of just carrying out its instructions.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Another option is the Kiwanis Trail that threads its way through a shallow, cupped canyon.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 21 Feb. 2026
  • TikToks promising secret loopholes, Reddit threads dissecting deductions and content creators insisting ways to outsmart the IRS.
    Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • What makes barrel jeans popular is their wide, tapered fit that curves out around the mid-leg and then cinches in at the ankle.
    India Roby, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The three compressions are Spanxsmooth Swim, which is light compression for barely there smoothing; Spanxshape Swim, medium compression for a little more tummy control and shaping, and Spanxsculpt Swim, strong compression that cinches and snatches.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ropes. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on ropes

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster