complicated 1 of 2

complicated

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verb

past tense of complicate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective complicated differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complicated are complex, intricate, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

When might complex be a better fit than complicated?

The words complex and complicated can be used in similar contexts, but complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When would intricate be a good substitute for complicated?

The synonyms intricate and complicated are sometimes interchangeable, but intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

When is it sensible to use involved instead of complicated?

The words involved and complicated are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When is knotty a more appropriate choice than complicated?

Although the words knotty and complicated have much in common, knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

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 complicated
Adjective
Determining appropriate value, however, is complicated. Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 This new version of La Bohème is three times more complicated than the original and sometimes incoherent. Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 President Donald Trump’s tariffs aim to bring jobs and factories back to the U.S., but the reality is more complicated. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025 Any hedge fund or investment bank with an ability to do some complicated hedges is in a position to jump into the fray. William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated
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
Adjective
  • The website Time and Date also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The administration has not given detailed reasons for the visa or student enrollment status cancellations.
    Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the sixth inning, India re-aggravated the injury after reaching base on a one-out walk.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
  • However, the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad aggravated already tense relations between Turkey and Israel, with their conflicting interests pushing the relationship toward a possible collision course.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Allergies are really complex, and a lot of factors play a role in who gets them and who doesn’t.
    Breanne Hayes Haney, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Those convictions were only deepened in the spring and summer of 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic and post-George Floyd protests.
    Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The cooler tones within this taupe shade are sophisticated and elegant when paired with veiny marble details.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The sophisticated bouquet features a monochrome rose and carnation mix that any mom would be thrilled to receive.
    Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Happening now until April 13 is The National Cherry Blossom Festival that includes interesting events, Art in Bloom installations, hotel stays, and a parade on April 12 with elaborate floats, marching bands, entertainers, and performers.
    Miriam Porter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • They were surrounded by stones and buried with elaborate grave goods, researchers said.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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