KNOTS Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

knots 1 of 2

noun

plural of knot

as in clusters

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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as in swellings

a small rounded mass of swollen tissue felt a small knot on the back of his head

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as in links

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

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as in groupings

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

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as in problems

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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knots

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of knot

as in tangles

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 knots

Noun

The line shuffles forward quickly, and my heart knots in my chest as Heartfillers are dosed to each person up ahead. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 The Very Large Crude Carrier – the largest oil tanker class, stretching over 1,000 feet – maintained a steady pace of 13 knots across the Persian Gulf, near its top speed. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 Better yet, the cabinet highlights the wood’s natural knots and varied grain, so each piece is truly unique. — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026 The 54-year-old actress styled her blonde hair in Bantu knots and accessorized with diamond stud earrings. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 18 Aug. 2026 As for grunt, Whisper is powered by twin Caterpillar engines that give her a top speed of 16 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 13 knots. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026 On April 8, 2025, ANKA III also released a SÜPER ŞİMŞEK in flight at about 10,130 feet and 150 knots. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026 Some high-speed catamarans and speedboats in Greece reach speeds of between 40 and 50 knots, roughly 46 to 58 miles per hour, according to ferry companies in the region. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 So here's the part where DC's comic book logic tangles itself into knots. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

No matter how many knots a lawyer ties themselves in to get there, legality is not legitimacy. — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025 Stories like these usually lurch from one contrivance and complication to the next, but Chad Powers knots itself into a genuinely thorny conflict by the finale. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for knots

Noun

Autumn Joy Stonecrop Also called autumn joy sedum, this hardy, summer- and fall-flowering perennial is known for its succulent foliage and dense clusters of tiny pink flowers.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
Staple builds clusters of commerce by opening small businesses that locals will actually use, and then adds accommodations to attract visitors.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of clusters

Noun

Users will not see ads or sponsored links near their conversations, and the chatbot's answers will not be influenced by third-party product placements, Anthropic had said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
States alleged that Meta’s internal research documented links between Instagram use and harms including depression, anxiety and body-image concerns among young people, while the company publicly minimized or concealed those risks.

— Carolina Rossini, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of links

Noun

That transition will test whether the startup’s manufacturing-first approach can work outside prototypes and small test batches.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Working in batches as necessary so as not to overcrowd the pan, add the chicken and cook until golden-brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of batches

Noun

The process produces pebble-sized lumps called clinker, which are then ground into cement powder.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Combine flour, ground almonds, sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl and whisk to blend evenly so there are no lumps of sugar.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of lumps

Browse Nearby Words

knotholes

knots

knotted

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“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of knots

noun

verb

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