complicate

1 of 2

verb

com·​pli·​cate ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce complicate (audio)
complicated; complicating

transitive verb

1
: to make complex or difficult
2
: involve
especially : to cause to be more complex or severe
a virus disease complicated by bacterial infection
3
: to combine especially in an involved or inextricable manner

complicate

2 of 2

adjective

com·​pli·​cate ˈkäm-pli-kət How to pronounce complicate (audio)

Examples of complicate in a Sentence

Verb Changing jobs now would complicate her life. a disease complicated by infection Adjective the kind of complicate machinery that is used in the field of robotics
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Missing their leading scorer and best player will complicate that pursuit. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 Additionally, the digital scan has complicated a controversial narrative about a first officer on the Titanic: William Murdoch, who has long been accused of abandoning his post. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Shifting trade policies, geopolitical risks, supply shortages and evolving regulatory landscapes all complicate decision-making. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025 While promoting fairness, the rule can, and often does, complicate estate administration. Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

earlier, "to fold together, intertwine, combine in an involved manner," borrowed from Medieval Latin complicātus, past participle of complicāre "to fold together, wrap around, envelop, interweave" — more at complicate entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin complicātus, from past participle of complicāre "to fold together, wrap around, envelop, interweave," going back to Latin, "to fold together, fold up," from com- com- + plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

First Known Use

Verb

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complicate was in 1638

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complicate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

complicate

verb
com·​pli·​cate
ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt
complicated; complicating
: to make or become complex or difficult

Medical Definition

complicate

transitive verb
com·​pli·​cate ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce complicate (audio)
complicated; complicating
: to cause to be more complex or severe
a virus disease complicated by bacterial infection

More from Merriam-Webster on complicate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!