1
as in cramps
a painful sudden tightening of a muscle
got a kink in my neck from lying in that awkward position for too long
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tricks
an odd or peculiar habit
the boss's fondness for nicknames is one of those kinks that staffers just have to put up with
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whims
a sudden impulsive and apparently unmotivated idea or action
whenever he got a kink in his head, he'd drop whatever he was doing to pursue this latest obsession
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kinks
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Kent Lee, who initially backed the fees, urged Gloria to pause them until the kinks are worked out of the system.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The hope is that administrators worked out all the kinks from the last time the school system went remote, which resulted in a systemwide crash.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
For wellness finds, pick up a heated neck massager that can work out kinks from your couch, or an TheraFace LED face mask to improve your complexion, also from your couch.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The on-again, off-again couple have been dating for over a decade and have (mostly) worked out the kinks of joking about their relationship in public.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
SpaceX seems to have worked out much of the kinks developing the Super Heavy booster responsible for launching Starship — though a recent mishap of the booster's latest version did rupture during a pressurization test.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Coil the Hose Keep your hose in good condition for the coming year by coiling it in large, loose loops to avoid kinks.
—Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Noun
As for relaxation, the lodge has a heated outdoor pool, fire pits, and a full-service spa to work out those post-ski kinks.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera and Kent Lee, who initially backed the fees, urged Gloria to pause them until the kinks are worked out of the system.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
The hope is that administrators worked out all the kinks from the last time the school system went remote, which resulted in a systemwide crash.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
For wellness finds, pick up a heated neck massager that can work out kinks from your couch, or an TheraFace LED face mask to improve your complexion, also from your couch.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The on-again, off-again couple have been dating for over a decade and have (mostly) worked out the kinks of joking about their relationship in public.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
SpaceX seems to have worked out much of the kinks developing the Super Heavy booster responsible for launching Starship — though a recent mishap of the booster's latest version did rupture during a pressurization test.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026
Coil the Hose Keep your hose in good condition for the coming year by coiling it in large, loose loops to avoid kinks.
—Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kinks
Noun
-
Esparza said the symptoms that raise red flags include blood in stool or rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of stool that lasts more than a few days; unintended weight loss; and cramps or abdominal pain.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Peterson was able to play 34 minutes, suffering no cramps during the contest.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Instead, here's how to make your house smell good with these tricks to tackle smelly odors in your home and promote pleasant scents.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
When later asked about the keys to forcing timing turnovers, Harmon said there are techniques and tricks of the trade that the Longhorns practice.—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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With eight expiring contracts on their books, they were bound to see this volume of turnover — either under their control at the deadline or at the whims of players over the summer.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The island nation, vulnerable to the whims of the Atlantic, has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Danish firm Wavepiston to turn those crashing swells into a 50 MW power source.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The older version of the game, called Test cricket, spreads over five full days of play, and its duration as well as its colonial-era quirks (players wear white while representing their country and take breaks during the day for lunch and tea) have often lent themselves to ridicule.—
Erin Florio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The team is adept at navigating the quirks of historic homes and is able to honor the original details while making the residence work for modern living.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bomi, 23, who entered seeking his first boyfriend, found his idealized notions challenged.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Will Liz’s romantic notions help her win Michael or Wes?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dry all surfaces completely and replace knobs, drip pans, and coils back on the stove.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
14 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This perception of tatreez, or traditional Palestinian embroidery, as a type of visual language is widely shared, owing to its intimacy with the land and biographical characteristics.—
Zoe Whitfield,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In vacating the life prison term in 2024, Cook County Judge Marc Martin found in part that Modrowski had been unfairly portrayed as emotionless and cold during his 1995 trial and sentencing proceedings when the characteristics were likely due to his autism.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But this is not a story about two best friends who break up because of the vagaries of popularity, and Coleman’s Callie is not a villain who breaks Minnie’s delicate heart.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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The vagaries of that schedule will require flexibility and depth and will likely force Dos Santos to rotate players in and out of the lineup.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kinks. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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