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 aircraft has an endurance of more than 30 hours, depending on its configuration and mission profile, and can achieve a maximum speed of approximately 210 knots. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026 In 1984 the late mathematician Vaughan Jones introduced a new way to assign polynomials to knots, thereby tangling the two fields together. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
The match entered the break knotted at 1-1 before the two sides traded goals just six minutes into the second half. — Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026 Mestemaker overcame an interception on Oklahoma State's first drive of the third quarter by throwing passes of 27 and 40 yards on the Cowboys' next drive to set up his 4-yard scoring toss to Terrence Lewis to knot the score at 21. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 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
  • Genetic comparisons revealed that deep-sea viral communities in the region are almost entirely unique, with just 4 percent of their protein clusters matching global databases.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The source was generally in good condition, but mold spots and dense clusters of small white specks required careful treatment.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of cluster
Noun
  • Symptoms can include leg heaviness, aching, swelling, throbbing and itching, Stoughton said.
    — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Symptoms usually affect one breast and can include discoloration, a persistent rash, swelling, warmth, skin that looks pitted like an orange peel and a nipple that turns inward, according to the National Cancer Institute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of swelling
Noun
  • But this ancient link between Mother Earth and today’s clocks looks set to be severed.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Separately, critics also have raised concerns about Rosebank's links to Israeli company Delek Group, which activists say profited from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of link
Noun
  • Martelly’s registration under a new political grouping, Debloke, will place the council under heavy scrutiny.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • In a small farm context, that will be to a grouping of farmers that form a producer unit using the same practices in the same climate.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of grouping
Noun
  • The problem is two of the guys have started dating between last year and this year.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In an Austin school district where buses are equipped with cameras, Waymos were recorded illegally passing them more than twenty times in the past school year—a problem that persisted even after the company tried to fix it.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of problem
Verb
  • With two sections framing her face in the front, the back half of her head was teased and tangled into a little bouffant lift at the crown.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • It’s designed to handle loose hair of any length without tangling.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of tangle
Noun
  • But last year, during Black Friday, Hello82 put up the first batch of tickets for the festival, promising K-pop acts and events, sans any artists officially attached or a specific date.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement There are only two of them at home, so a big batch can mean eating the same dinner several nights running.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of batch
Noun
  • The initial lump was detected during a routine check, the Vatican has said.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
  • If a new lump has no clear explanation or is still there after two weeks, make an appointment.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about knot

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