1
as in difficulties
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
the food allergies of the guests were just another complication for the couple trying to plan their wedding reception
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2
as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
complications set in after the surgery
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complications
The transfers create jurisdictional complications for habeas corpus petitions challenging detention.
—
Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 2026
The chase was over, ended without injuries — but not without legal and political complications now unfolding.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The drug, an oral medicine called infigratinib, met its primary goal in a study enrolling more than 100 kids with achondroplasia, a rare genetic disorder that results in short stature and can lead to serious medical complications.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
There are now several other children in the same hospital unit suffering from measles complications, some of them tethered to ventilators.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
This position aligns with concerns that imposing restrictions on state law enforcement over operational decisions could create broader governance complications.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The duo performed in the Milwaukee and Chicago areas from 1987 until 2006, when Mike Sardina unexpectedly died at age 55 from complications of a head injury.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The move caused some complications for the business at the time.
—Ian King, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
By law, mothers can take up to 90 days of leave for a single baby with no complications, and fathers are afforded 20 days.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Ben Fenwick, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Feb. 2026
The chase was over, ended without injuries — but not without legal and political complications now unfolding.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The drug, an oral medicine called infigratinib, met its primary goal in a study enrolling more than 100 kids with achondroplasia, a rare genetic disorder that results in short stature and can lead to serious medical complications.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
There are now several other children in the same hospital unit suffering from measles complications, some of them tethered to ventilators.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
This position aligns with concerns that imposing restrictions on state law enforcement over operational decisions could create broader governance complications.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The duo performed in the Milwaukee and Chicago areas from 1987 until 2006, when Mike Sardina unexpectedly died at age 55 from complications of a head injury.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 11 Feb. 2026
The move caused some complications for the business at the time.
—Ian King, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
By law, mothers can take up to 90 days of leave for a single baby with no complications, and fathers are afforded 20 days.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complications
Noun
-
Just as enterprising librarians and archivists met the difficulties of their day with novel solutions, now a new generation looked for ways to adapt to the overflow.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday, Hoda Kotb, who co-anchored TODAY with Savannah from 2017 until January 2025, returned to the show to talk about the worry the team feels for their friend, and all the times Savannah has been there for them while facing their own difficulties.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Cassidy, a physician specializing in liver diseases and a vocal supporter of vaccination, had questioned Kennedy sharply in a hearing about his views on shots.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Smoking Like other lung diseases, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking or significant secondhand smoke exposure increases the risk of adult onset asthma.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As indie film buyers and sellers prepare to come together at the European Film Market in Berlin, there is a sense that, although the arthouse market is fragmented and not a little divided, the leaders in the field are adapting to the ever-evolving complexities of the specialty world.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
-
With over a dozen years of experience as a founder, 42-year-old Griffiths has first-hand experience with the social complexities and emotional toll of entrepreneurism.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But the launch of a mass drug administration program has allowed the country to treat around 100 million people for NTDs annually since 2019, The END Fund found, with the disease burden for some illnesses reducing by as much as 72%.—
Paige Bruton,
semafor.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Now, those vaccines, which researchers estimate have prevented thousands of deaths and millions of illnesses, are recommended by the CDC only for children at high risk of serious illness or after consultation between doctors and parents.—
Amanda Seitz,
NPR,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In recent weeks, Doncic has grappled with ankle and groin ailments as well; the wear-and-tear of the season emerging just before the All-Star break.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The spice's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help support a range of ailments and conditions.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wading conditions were excellent, but ultra-low water also complicated the fishing.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
With Yemen challenged by the social and economic effects of a sporadic but ongoing civil war between Houthi rebels and the central government, conditions have proven difficult for Almatrahi and his family members to visit their homeland.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
-
And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
During the 1980s, both tabloids pandered to the racial resentments and fears of white New Yorkers when covering all of the city’s ills.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complications. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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