knots 1 of 2

noun

plural of knot
1
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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2
as in swellings
a small rounded mass of swollen tissue felt a small knot on the back of his head

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3
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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4
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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5
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
  1. clusters
  2. swellings
  3. links
  4. groupings
  5. problems
  6. tangles
  7. batches
  8. lumps
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
  • Burls are sound, hard, woody swellings or protrusions that form on the trunks, branches, or roots of trees.
    — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • This microscopic roundworm lays its eggs in root tissues, causing swellings or galls to develop on infected roots.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
Definition of swellings
Noun
  • Spherical Link Design and Modular Cable Routing The foundation of the Robotrax system lies in its open, single-piece plastic links featuring spherical snap-on connections on both sides.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Two incidents that disrupted power distribution systems in the west and east of Germany are being investigated as possible sabotage, authorities said Wednesday, while one of them was also being examined for possible terrorism links.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of links
Noun
  • Lemon mostly worked in personnel groupings with Smith and Wicks.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Phase One regional groupings for the Leagues Cup were as follows.
    — Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of groupings
Noun
  • This is adding to the already high toll caused by problems with energy and water supplies, devastated crops, losses in river traffic and trade.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Some common laser problems can already be corrected automatically.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of problems
Verb
  • So here's the part where DC's comic book logic tangles itself into knots.
    — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But consent decrees are legally and politically complicated, and the treatment of migrant children further tangles the situation.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of tangles
Noun
  • The rockets that launched the first two batches of Rassvets released the satellites much closer to Earth, and the satellites were expected to use their own plasma engines to raise their orbits over the next few months.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In supply chains, product data is being validated and enriched continuously rather than in periodic batches.
    — Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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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Cite this Entry

“Knots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knots. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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