complex 1 of 3

complex

2 of 3

noun

1
as in facility
a structure that is designed and built for a particular purpose an apartment complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in system
something made up of many interdependent or related parts a complex of government programs designed to assist the needy

Synonyms & Similar Words

complex

3 of 3

verb

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complex systems
large systems
large-scale systems
hard systems
advanced systems
complex problems
intricate problems
tough problems
sophistical problems
convoluted problems
confusing problems
a complex structure
a difficult structure
a complicated structure
a detailed structure
a large structure
an elaborate structure
complex interactions
sophisticated interactions
detailed interactions
deep interactions
multiple interactions
several interactions
a complex process
a hard process
a long process
a massive process
an involved process
a huge process

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective complex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complex are complicated, intricate, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When is complicated a more appropriate choice than complex?

While the synonyms complicated and complex are close in meaning, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

When might intricate be a better fit than complex?

The synonyms intricate and complex 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 complex?

Although the words involved and complex have much in common, involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When would knotty be a good substitute for complex?

While in some cases nearly identical to complex, 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 complex
Adjective
Wells offers us a model of political resistance to racial injustice that implies the complex negotiation of principles when confronted with sustained pressures, in practice, by the institutions and norms that perpetuate white supremacy and racial oppression. Amy Gais / Made By History, TIME, 27 Feb. 2025 The complex case has many possibilities, and the pursuit of a new trial is just one path the brothers are exploring in their quest to rejoin society. Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
East Dorm focuses on humanizing prisoners Toward the back of the Idaho Department of Correction’s vast complex south of Boise, the East Dorm’s bright blue, orange and red exterior sticks out amid the South Idaho Correctional Institution’s older red brick buildings. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Feb. 2025 Domínguez, who didn’t get many minor league reps in left last year due to injuries, spent a chunk of his offseason at the Yankees’ player development complex. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complex
Adjective
  • Although these big chip platforms are complicated to make, Nvidia can apply lessons learned from the Blackwell ramp to future product iterations.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Administrators’ choices on admissions are made even more complicated by a weird dynamic in play across higher ed.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The design, which took more than 300 hours to make, included a corset bodice with intricate sparkling details that dripped down to the rest of the silk skirt.
    Rachel Flynn, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
  • His intricate, mesmerizing, metal, light, and shadow sculptures in MICAS’ barrel vaults prove particularly sublime.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In response, prison agency officials emailed staff at other facilities in search of volunteers from across the country willing to work at the rural New England lockup.
    Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The Cooper Storage facility and the Union County District Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • During his tenure, City Hall launched an online child care application system known as MyCity and dramatically reduced copays for the lowest income families.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • But the consequences of dismantling government agencies, systems and services could be more widespread and severe than slimming down a tech company.
    Clare Duffy, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The love triangle is already complicated by the intrusive memories of Mark’s outie, who is pining after the specter of his dead wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), but the situation reaches unprecedented messiness after Helena Eagan tracks down Mark’s outie in a restaurant and flirts with him.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The questions were as straightforward as the technicalities were complicated: how should Gaza be governed and reconstructed after the Israel-Hamas war is over, without having to resort to ethnic cleansing?
    Daniel DePetris, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Swiss skincare import creates sophisticated formulations featuring pure alpine ingredients from high altitude plants and Triple DNA, a patented marine DNA extract that deeply hydrates and boosts cell renewal.
    Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • These symbols are part of an entirely undeciphered script from a sophisticated ancient civilization thousands of years old.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • At the same time, elements of the FSMA that require food manufacturers to keep more detailed records are set to go into effect within a year, and companies will need to comply, Le said.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The Biden administration released monthly detailed data about removals and returns.
    Joel Rose, NPR, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Fox Sports owns half of the league, and Birmingham finished as one of the top viewership markets on the network last season.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The network also revealed a further slate of longstanding Opry members who will be making appearances on the telecast, including Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Lauren Alaina, Sara Evans, Scotty McCreery, Chris Janson and Dustin Lynch.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complex. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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