1
as in cramp
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 trick
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 whim
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 kink
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 16 Oct. 2025
But the offense that made history last year against the Bears is still working out some kinks to rediscover its identity.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025
Traditional hoses will kink and coil, and can be really disruptive to an activity that should feel stress free.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for kink
Noun
The ceasefire is still working through kinks, as Hamas has refused to disarm despite the terms of the deal.
—Verb
To preserve the svelte look, rather than appearing boxy, the floor-to-ceiling glass panels on the upper deck are subtly kinked to maintain the racing lines.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for kink
Noun
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The vaccine campaign has been so effective that today, many pediatric medical residents have never encountered an infant hospitalized because of the infection, which can cause days of diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and fever.—
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The loss of fluids and electrolytes can cause lightheadedness, excessive thirst, and muscle cramps.—
Noun
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This dish will do the trick with crispy chicken and fresh zucchini tossed in a tender linguine with a robust lemon flavor.—
-
But even an invitation to hang out again, perhaps paired with a gift card to a local lunch spot, could do the trick.—
Noun
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Leven is still at the whims of the macroeconomic climate plaguing restaurants in recent years.—
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As for whether whims like that need to be indulged, Mayer, perhaps not surprisingly, is on the side of the talent.—
Verb
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If not, loop a beach neighborhood and call it joy.—
-
Script is finding new life in after-school clubs where students can learn to loop and swoosh their handwriting.—
Noun
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The victim was taken to the hospital with two stab wounds to her back, and cuts on her arm and hand that authorities say required stitches, per prosecutors.—
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After leaving the game, Garrity told reporters that Nimaka would need stitches for his injury, but is expected to be fine.—
Noun
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Six of them — in an odd twist of fate — won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams following the 2021 season.—
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Midwestern bakeries have embraced the tradition, giving it an American twist with additional flavors like custard, chocolate, lemon, blueberry and more.—
Verb
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Those pesky wet spots can cause mold and mildew growth, window condensation, warped wood furniture, and even damaged electronics.—
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But an unexpected rain squall hit and by the time Lavis and Szczerbowski returned, the prop was warped out of shape.—
Noun
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But there are other factors that needled their way into the evolutionary development of dormancy characteristics.—
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There’s no single definition in our modern times, but experts generally agree on a few characteristics.—
Cite this Entry
“Kink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kink. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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