knotty

adjective

knot·​ty ˈnä-tē 

knottier; knottiest

: marked by or full of knots

especially : so full of difficulties and complications as to be likely to defy solution

a knotty problem

knottiness noun

Synonyms

• baroque
• byzantine
• complex
• complicate
• complicated
• convoluted
• daedal
• elaborate
• intricate
• involute
• involved
• labyrinthian
• labyrinthine
• sophisticated
• tangled

Choose the Right Synonym for knotty

complex, complicated, intricate, involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts.

complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

Examples of knotty in a Sentence

the knotty problems that arise when every nation is part of the global marketplace

the candidates cautiously gave their views on an array of knotty issues

Recent Examples on the Web

Balancing a business that’s declining but still throws off lots of cash with new streaming imperative has been the top consideration for media companies and a very knotty one. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

From Avenue Winston Churchill to Place Vendôme, Paris came alive with indoor and open air exhibits like John Chamberlain’s knotty green Balmywisecrack sculpture from 2011 and Niki de Saint Phalle’s L’Arbre-Serpents from 1988. —Sofia Celeste, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024

That Murray milestone in philosophically knotty comedies went for broad laughs and ultimately, romantic bliss. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2024

Another knotty issue: McGivney’s wife works for the state attorney general’s office, which is prosecuting Cadden. —Ed White, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing knotty

• knotty pine

Kids Definition

knotty

adjective

knot·​ty ˈnät-ē 

knottier; knottiest

1

: full of knots

knotty wood

2

: difficult sense 2b

a knotty problem