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
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
The tit-for-tat Twitter spat comes as warring Republican factions were set for a crucial meeting Thursday to seek agreement on SALT and other knotty disputes that have endangered Trump’s sprawling budget bill.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Commercially, deft handling by discerning arthouse distributors will be required to draw audiences to a knotty, novelistic work that is, in the most rewarding possible way, difficult to package or summarize.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 May 2025
The thinking was that future leaders of the city’s public schools should be educators rather than business leaders, which past mayors have hired at times to wrestle with CPS’ knotty financial challenges.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
At the plot-heavy episode’s center is the knotty friendship between June and Janine, who haven’t seen each other since their separation in season four.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knotty
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Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Commercially, deft handling by discerning arthouse distributors will be required to draw audiences to a knotty, novelistic work that is, in the most rewarding possible way, difficult to package or summarize.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 May 2025
The thinking was that future leaders of the city’s public schools should be educators rather than business leaders, which past mayors have hired at times to wrestle with CPS’ knotty financial challenges.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
At the plot-heavy episode’s center is the knotty friendship between June and Janine, who haven’t seen each other since their separation in season four.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for knotty
Cite this Entry
“Knotty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/knotty. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
knotty
adjective
knot·ty
ˈnät-ē 
knottier; knottiest
1
: full of knots
knotty wood
2
: difficult sense 2b
a knotty problem
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