complicated 1 of 2

complicated

2 of 2

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
Nevertheless, the Face Wrap sold out within 24 hours online, which speaks volumes about how complicated our relationship with our faces has become. Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 31 July 2025 When landowners are among the wealthiest people in the world, Sarma added, the optics become even more complicated—especially in cases like Oprah Winfrey's, where a celebrated advocate for marginalized voices now faces scrutiny herself. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025 Most people older than 6 months were eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot before, but this year, the vaccination recommendations are a bit more complicated. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 30 July 2025 His case is growing ever more complicated with his execution just days away. Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated
Adjective
  • Tariffs, trade wars and economic uncertainty complicate operations and planning.
    Simon Dae Oong Kim, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Now, sometimes the people or circumstances around us complicate that endeavor.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Norwegian man is accused of giving detailed information on embassy employees, diplomats, and their families, as well as floor plans of the embassy, safety practices, photos of the facilities, and visitors to Russian and Iranian handlers.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • In a recent presentation at Salesforce's London DX conference, one session showed how AI can look at a Salesforce configuration, draw the process diagrams for an area and then identify agentic use cases based on a detailed framework.
    Ian Gotts, Forbes.com, 23 July 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
  • Anne Hathaway wears an intricate scarf and shades on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York City on July 25.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 25 July 2025
  • Nearby, Peacock Alley Lounge—the beating heart of the hotel–now feels more like a salon, with musicians playing nightly and guests craning for a closer look at the intricate ceiling.
    Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Dressler said part of what worries him is the relative lack of experience of the military pilots who may have only been in the area a short time and don't understand the complex airspace around Washington.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
  • There, travelers can familiarize themselves with the capital’s founding and complex past, especially with the help of a knowledgeable tour guide.
    Zoe Shapiro, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Deep divisions The angry scenes on Thursday highlighted divisions that have deepened since Netanyahu returned to power as head of a right-wing coalition at the end of 2022.
    Reuters, USA TODAY, 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
  • This sophisticated technique represents the highest standard of data recovery possible on today's smartphones, working within security constraints to provide the most complete evidence picture available.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Hand-stained and vegetable-tanned, the material feels both supple and durable, lending a sophisticated finish without sacrificing functionality.
    Talia Ergas, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Christian extremists overthrow the U.S. government and institute an elaborate system of reproductive slavery: Fertile women are sent to live with high-ranking officials who rape and impregnate them, then take the children to raise as their own.
    New York Times, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Real crypto price discovery continues to happen in spot markets, through ETFs, and via genuine institutional adoption - not through the elaborate financial engineering of treasury companies trading at massive premiums to their underlying assets.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on complicated

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!