knot 1 of 2

noun

ˈnät How to pronounce knot (audio)
Definition of knotnext
1
as in cluster
a number of things considered as a unit from the summit we could see knots of houses up and down the river valley

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2
as in swelling
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue felt a small knot on the back of his head

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3
as in link
a uniting or binding force or influence their business partnership is strengthened by the knot of personal friendship

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4
as in grouping
a usually small number of persons considered as a unit knots of people were quietly chatting around the meeting hall

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5
as in problem
something that requires thought and skill for resolution the situation involved so many legal knots that we decided to get a lawyer

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knot

2 of 2

verb

as in to tangle
to twist together into a usually confused mass the extension cords were hopelessly knotted together

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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 knot
Noun
The architecture morphs into a tangled digital knot that only expensive crisis engineers can untangle. — Ihor Hamal, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Visitors can expect to see more than 100 classic wooden boats, as well as various nautical activities, including boatbuilding, knot tying, and a youth sailing regatta. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
The San Antonio Spurs, who won Game 3 at the Garden, built a 29-point lead in Game 4 and appeared on the verge of knotting up the series. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026 Throw it over a ribbed tank and linen trousers for a coffee run, wear it open as a lightweight layer with a maxi dress, knot it over a midi skirt, or drape it over your shoulders when the sun goes down. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for knot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knot
  1. cluster
  2. swelling
  3. link
  4. grouping
  5. problem
  6. tangle
  7. batch
  8. lump
Noun
  • The neighborhood/area At the edge of Old Key West, Island House Key West is found among the island’s residential cluster of historic homes and inns along Fleming Street.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The strikes accompanied numerous clusters of thunderstorms in the area and across most of southeast Florida, with the heaviest concentrations between Jupiter and just north of Miami, according to AccuWeather’s meteorologists.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • CoQ10 may indirectly improve athletic performance by reducing fatigue, pain, swelling, and muscle injury caused by strenuous exercise.
    — Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 26 Aug. 2026
  • CT scans check the brain for fractures, bleeding, swelling, and blood clots.
    — Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • The platform links brand clients with filmmakers around the world to turn advertising messages into standalone films with real narrative ambition, rather than conventional commercials.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • When followers click those links and purchase something, creators get a cut of the sales — anywhere from five to 30 percent.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of link
Noun
  • The signifying fruit was intended to get around the 1980 Israeli ban on political art featuring the grouping of the flag’s colors.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Lemon mostly worked in personnel groupings with Smith and Wicks.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of grouping
Noun
  • But there’s a deeper problem, by Dartmouth provost Santiago Schnell, as 100% AI-written.
    — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The problem is, Isolde is very busy with work, so Ry is often left to herself with four alarms a day to take medication to prevent seizures.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of problem
Verb
  • Because trunk cargo nets have large holes, pointed items such as fishing poles, bats, or rackets can get tangled.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • General Daily Insight for August 26, 2026 Small adjustments can keep today’s plans from getting tangled.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of tangle
Noun
  • Founded by Jesse and Ashlyn Gagnon in 2023, Orthodox is an American farmhouse brewery known for its small-batch beers with a distinct Belgian influence.
    — John Magsam, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This week’s batch includes new albums from Turnstile, Erykah Badu and the Alchemist, Interpol, and more.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of batch
Noun
  • Then there’s the fact that many potential investors aren’t quite sure what to make of a company from a mostly empty lump of volcanic rock in the middle of the North Atlantic.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The process produces pebble-sized lumps called clinker, which are then ground into cement powder.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of lump

Phrases Containing knot

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knolls
knot
knothole
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Cite this Entry

“Knot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knot. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on knot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about knot

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