1
as in to complex
to make complex or difficult
the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
the kind of complicate machinery that is used in the field of robotics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of complicate
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Saturday night’s rotation was complicated with not only Wiggins being out, but also Tyler Herro sidelined by a thigh contusion, only his fourth absence of the season and first since March 5, with the Heat 0-4 in his absence this season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Julie Kratz, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
The provision, critics say, would invite gaming and further complicate tax reporting by creating new reporting requirements about the hours a taxpayer worked.
—Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complicate
Verb
That moment complicated Phaedra’s legacy, casting her as someone capable not only of shade but of real harm.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 8 Apr. 2025
Saturday night’s rotation was complicated with not only Wiggins being out, but also Tyler Herro sidelined by a thigh contusion, only his fourth absence of the season and first since March 5, with the Heat 0-4 in his absence this season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Trump’s policies, which ignite strong opinions, further complicate collaboration between employees with opposing perspectives.
—Julie Kratz, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025
The provision, critics say, would invite gaming and further complicate tax reporting by creating new reporting requirements about the hours a taxpayer worked.
—Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
Verb
-
In 2023, Williams, who had picked up beat-making as a hobby during the pandemic, sought to deepen his understanding of the form and his long-standing attachment to innovators such as Dilla.—
Sheldon Pearce,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
-
As the recession deepened and unemployment shot higher, the interest and the penalties on Natale’s loans compounded much faster than her ability to move up the ladder to higher paying jobs.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump and Zuckerberg have a complicated history, with the president being critical of the Silicon Valley CEO's management of online censorship, which culminated in a ban from Meta platforms after the January 6 riots.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Oversharing and going dark are hazards of the moon’s complicated clash with Jupiter.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Patterson’s departure likely will intensify UM’s efforts to find a starting caliber safety in the portal.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2025
-
In this context of uncertainty, competition intensifies on entry and middle market watches.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Eventually, those with ALS often experience trouble talking, walking, and swallowing, and the symptoms worsen over time.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Rolling back rules will take time, but America’s air quality could worsen in the interim.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
His big toes included the Texas pickle brand’s logo, and his remaining toes included intricate nail art to resemble pickles.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Although against a group of vibrant, hungry players who hunt like wolves before fizzing and whizzing in possession, with relentless ball speed and intricate rotations, Villa could only make up for the deficit in quality and European pedigree through hard work.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Mariah Carey just pulled a classic mom move by embarrassing her teenage son in front of his friends.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The leaking was intended to embarrass Bork, whose nomination was ultimately rejected by the U.S. Senate albeit for reasons unrelated to his rental list.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Extended exposure to pollutants like ozone or fine particulate matter can lead to coughing, throat irritation and shortness of breath, and may aggravate conditions like asthma and bronchitis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Breathing danger: Health risks from ash Breathing volcanic ash can irritate the throat and lungs, trigger asthma attacks and aggravate chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD.—
David Kitchen,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This capability directly addresses use cases involving the analysis of extensive codebases, the summarization of lengthy documents, or maintaining context in prolonged complex interactions necessary for sophisticated AI agents.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Unhackable networks: Traditional encryption relies on complex math problems that could eventually be cracked by powerful computers.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share