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
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ropes
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Her statement said Vail Mountain Ski Patrol used ropes to get people off the chairs.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Even more kudos go to the camera operators who dangled off of ropes to film the climb.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
That’s how Alex Honnold describes the challenge of ascending one of the world's tallest buildings without any ropes or nets.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
The man the woman was with exited the pond on his own, but firefighters used ropes and ladders to pull him up to the street as the embankment was steep and icy.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Besides Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker, who are both employed by the Giants, Vitello said La Russa has taught him the ropes more than anyone in his transition from the University of Tennessee to a major-league dugout.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
The objective was to climb—without ropes, a harness, or a parachute—a sixty-nine-floor luxury apartment building in Jersey City, New Jersey, called the Urby.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
But youth needs a helping hand to show them the ropes.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
When all was said and done, Honnold’s free solo climb of the 1,667-foot skyscraper without the use of ropes or nets took 1 hour and 31 minutes.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Her statement said Vail Mountain Ski Patrol used ropes to get people off the chairs.
—Brian Maass, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Even more kudos go to the camera operators who dangled off of ropes to film the climb.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
That’s how Alex Honnold describes the challenge of ascending one of the world's tallest buildings without any ropes or nets.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
The man the woman was with exited the pond on his own, but firefighters used ropes and ladders to pull him up to the street as the embankment was steep and icy.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 26 Jan. 2026
Besides Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker, who are both employed by the Giants, Vitello said La Russa has taught him the ropes more than anyone in his transition from the University of Tennessee to a major-league dugout.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
The objective was to climb—without ropes, a harness, or a parachute—a sixty-nine-floor luxury apartment building in Jersey City, New Jersey, called the Urby.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2026
But youth needs a helping hand to show them the ropes.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ropes
Noun
-
The specifics will vary based on where you’re headed—we’re not covering the swimsuit to pack for your beach getaway, or the umbrella to stash in your weekender—but overall, your travel wardrobe should be primed for mixing and matching, with one or two star pieces for special occasions.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Ask for specifics and offer a doable window, then block out time to actually do the essential parts of your responsibilities.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
House Bill 1002 also ties utility profits to performance metrics, including affordability and service restoration.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Stapleton has won three times in the past, which currently ties him with Kacey Musgraves, Josh Kear and Lori McKenna.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Blackhawks will probably need to retain salary here to make this move work given the new quirks of a playoff salary cap coming into effect this spring.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
-
This was another of Atre’s quirks.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The two-lane loop threads its way among forests and A-frames and cabins, skirting the waters of June Lake and the lake’s village, which is only a few blocks long.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
What threads them is an insistence, maybe even a stubbornness, that shopping still belongs in the physical world.—
Paul Jebara,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of individual detachable sleeves held onto the vest with zippers or buttons, the Rippy Modular Windbreaker’s sleeves are combined into one piece that cinches in the front with a bungee cord.—
Will Porter,
Outside,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Unlike typical wide-leg jeans, this style flares out at the knee and subtly cinches back toward the ankle.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ropes. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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