complicate 1 of 2

Definition of complicatenext
1
2
as in to deepen
to make more severe asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complicate

2 of 2

adjective

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
Verb
Finding a qualified doctor and hospital is likely your first step, but even that can be complicated. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 May 2026 That happens simply because Earth revolves, but the planets also move across the sky, further complicating things. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
Families today are more anchored: two-income households complicate moves, aging demographics keep older homeowners in place, and many are locked into mortgage rates under 4%, unwilling to trade up into costlier loans. Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 The shift would send states scrambling and complicate parents’ efforts to get young children vaccinated ahead of the coming respiratory virus season. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
Verb
  • These are the services that reduce harm and support reintegration, unlike arrests that only deepen instability.
    Shianne LeClaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
  • Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 left Moscow shunned on the global stage and heavily reliant on Beijing for trade due to Western sanctions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The Republican primary field is far more complicated.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
  • This summer’s most unlikely wine trend does not involve a rare bottle or a complicated spritz.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • But the indictment’s most consequential allegations center on what happened after Washington intensified sanctions pressure on Venezuela’s oil industry beginning in 2019.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
  • Higher output at sea The findings arrive as governments worldwide intensify efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy generation in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Airfares were already rising when Spirit Airlines shut down on May 2, and the loss of the discount carrier is expected to worsen the trend for travelers.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
  • Foreign investors continue to be bearish on India due to weak earnings and the worsening economic impact from the rising global oil prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • One of the most important traditions is pineapple pole plaiting, in which artisans weave and shape materials into intricate forms.
    Taryn White, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • The intricate family drama uses Christianity as a pillar, but extends outward to explore the sticky nuances and unexpected circumstances that arise amid major life changes.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • You’re locked in a cage with another human, that wants to beat the s*** out of you, embarrass you in front of millions of people.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The Sixers were embarrassed by the Knicks 144-114 in Game 4 in front of a New York-heavy crowd in South Philadelphia.
    Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • All of this was aggravated by a raft of economic uncertainties, from weak domestic consumption to the threat of a historic trade war with the US, leaving the keenest buyers, like Cai, to think twice before entering the market.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • Raleigh left the Mariners’ 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday after appearing to aggravate an injury on his right side.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The long answer is a little more complex.
    Diana Bocco, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • This single-sensor approach removes the need for the complex calibration typically required when combining separate lidar and camera systems.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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