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Showing results for knotty. Search instead for knotti.
Definitions

knotty

[not-ee] / ˈnɒt i /
ADJECTIVE
troublesome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
complicated mystifying perplexing puzzling sticky thorny tricky
WEAK
Gordian baffling complex difficult effortful elaborate formidable hard intricate involved labyrinthine mazy nodulous problematical ramified reticular rough rugged sophisticated terrible tough uphill
Antonyms
STRONGEST
easy facile smooth
WEAK
simple uncomplicated untroublesome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As a portrait of an artist at a crossroads, it's compellingly knotty.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Of course, as with any knotty academic question, there are anomalies.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2025

But she’s a reluctant sleuth in a knotty case with a head full of noise and a shaky hand on the lighter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

What constitutes romance is different for everyone, and when you get to the matter of love itself, issues become even more knotty.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2025

Next, she pulled her socks over her knotty calves, straightened up, and smiled at me.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.