1
as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
this medical device is a complex instrument that requires careful handling complex issues regarding free speech and school discipline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intricate
made or done with great care or with much detail
a complex plan for evacuating the city in the event of a natural disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
there's no need to complex what should be a simple process for obtaining a building permit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
complex systems
complex 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
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
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
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
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
-
Refunds are typically smaller at the start of the tax season because low- and middle-income workers with simpler tax returns are often the first to file, while higher-income Americans or people with more complicated taxes tend to wait until closer to the April 15 deadline to file their returns.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
His intricate, mesmerizing, metal, light, and shadow sculptures in MICAS’ barrel vaults prove particularly sublime.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
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
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 Starship Flight 8 test is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than Monday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. EST (2330 GMT) from SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Beach in South Texas.—
Tariq Malik,
Space.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Since the mid-twentieth century, the power dynamics and system of alliances that made up the postwar global order provided a strong check on campaigns to conquer and acquire territory—an otherwise enduring feature of human history.—
Michael Albertus,
Foreign Affairs,
4 Mar. 2025
-
But while the stakes are high, Andrews believes the collective’s potential reward outweighs the risk of implementing an entirely new sponsorship system three years before the next summer Olympics.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That’s the one thing that could get complicated, at least from a hitter’s perspective.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Figuring out the best time to apply can be complicated.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These symbols are part of an entirely undeciphered script from a sophisticated ancient civilization thousands of years old.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The military's main findings were that the region's most powerful and sophisticated military misread Hamas' intentions, underestimated its capabilities and was wholly unprepared for the surprise attack by thousands of heavily armed militants in the early morning hours of a major Jewish holiday.—
MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, WAFAA SHURAFA, NATALIE MELZER AND TIA GOLDENBERG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
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
-
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The mind behind Succession is returning to HBO this spring with a new original film that will be written and directed by Jesse Armstrong and will star Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith, and Ramy Youssef.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complex. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share