Gnarled

Characterized by knotted, twisted, and rugged appearance; often used to describe trees, limbs, or hands that have become deformed and weathered over time. It suggests a sense of age, resilience, and hardship endured. gnarled objects often display a complex, irregular surface texture, resulting from the effects of environment, age, and wear. The term can also metaphorically describe things like thoughts, which might become distorted or tangled, or a personality, hinting at a hardened, weathered demeanor. The essence of 'gnarled' is in the visible evidence of a challenging past, a life marked by struggle and survival, etched in the very form of the subject.

Gnarled meaning with examples

• The ancient oak tree stood sentinel in the park, its gnarled branches reaching towards the sky like the weathered arms of a giant. Generations had witnessed the gnarled wood that defied storms and embraced the passing seasons. The tree's rough exterior whispered tales of battles fought and victories claimed over centuries of life.
• His hands, roughened by years of manual labor, were gnarled with hard work and determination. Each twisted knuckle and thickened vein was a testament to the countless tasks he had conquered. The gnarled hands, like the trunk of an ancient tree, had lived a difficult life, but never gave up.
• The old fisherman, his face a map of wrinkles and sunspots, held a gnarled fishing rod. The old rod was bent from many tugs and pulls. It was a familiar object and as gnarled as the man that held it. It was a familiar partner of the sea, with its bent and weathered form.
• The path through the forest was lined with gnarled, twisted trees. Some had become grotesquely distorted from having fought the unrelenting winds of the high mountain range. This gave it an ethereal feeling, and made it difficult for one to know which way to proceed on this windy path.
• Her writing style was described as gnarled and challenging to decipher, reflecting the complexity of her thoughts. She thought and then put into writing a combination of difficult ideas. The reader had to work hard, just like the author, who was known for the difficult ideas that she wrote.