gnarled

1 of 2

adjective

ˈnär(-ə)ld

: full of knots or gnarls : knotty

gnarled hands

gnarled olive trees

: crabbed in disposition, aspect, or character

a gnarled old veteran

gnarled

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of gnarl entry 1, gnarl entry 2

Examples of gnarled in a Sentence

Adjective the old man's gnarled fingers

Recent Examples on the Web

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Adjective

In an almost level spot at the foot of the cliff was a gnarled fir that had found a pocket of rich volcanic soil in that austere place. — Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 15 July 2026 Famous for its enormous trunk -- about 36 feet in circumference -- and gnarled branches, the Major Oak was believed to be about 1,200 years old, according to the RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity. — ABC News, 19 June 2026 Like forests on land, kelp forms dense canopies at the sea surface that shade a mid-water understory while below, their gnarled root-like holdfasts sculpt the seafloor. — Tatjana Baleta, Time, 28 May 2026 The aesthetic presentation also celebrates nature; a gnarled grape vine serves as a platter to display the amuses-bouches. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gnarled

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably alteration of knurled

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of gnarled was in 1603

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

gnarl

gnarled

gnarly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Gnarled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnarled. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

gnarled

adjective

Examples of gnarled in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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