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 score was knotted at 5, 12, 19 at halftime, and 26 with a quarter to go at overcast Sandy Park. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 In accessories, Tcherassi’s knotted Sofia bag now comes in raffia, an ideal catch-all for long summer days spent on the water, or in the stands by the racetrack. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 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
  • Just around a curved hallway are three colorful displays of books wrapped in African textiles by the British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare, each presiding over a cluster of seating.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The structure’s 27 gleaming marble petals rise in clusters of three to form nine sides, creating a perfectly symmetrical bloom that appears to float above a series of nine reflecting pools.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 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
  • The notice must include the date and time immigration enforcement was confirmed, the location, and a link to resources.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators are still combing through the suspects' cellphones, dashboard cameras and other devices for clues about potential links to Iran.
    — Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of link
Noun
  • In separate local elections, various independent candidates and groupings appeared to be winning most seats nationwide, a traditional result.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, of the 105 political parties and groupings qualified to participate, only 33 had successfully submitted their membership lists.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 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
  • The fisherman and the shark apparently tangled when the man tried to release the fish.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Late in the fourth quarter, Wilson and Cunningham became tangled during a physical play.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of tangle
Noun
  • Good e-Reader says that Amazon is aware of the issue and has confirmed that a manufacturing issue may have led to defects in the current batch of Kindles.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This week’s batch includes new albums from Cameron Winter, Deafheaven, Dawn Richard, Troye Sivan, and more.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of batch
Noun
  • She was left with multiple bruises and a lump on the back of her head.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The cash will be paid in a single lump-sum within 30 days following the close — which was earlier today.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on knot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about knot

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