gnarled
/nɑrld/
adjective
- Rough and twisted, especially because of age or hard conditions (used especially of tree trunks, branches, or hands).
- The gnarled roots of the ancient olive tree spread across the rocky soil.
- Her gnarled fingers showed years of hard work in the garden.
- The hiker rested against a gnarled old oak tree.
- Having a rough, complicated, or difficult character; knotty (used figuratively of problems or situations).
- He tried to untangle the gnarled legal issues in the contract.
- The plot of the mystery novel was delightfully gnarled and unexpected.
- The negotiations became gnarled with conflicting demands.