complicate 1 of 2

verb

ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce complicate (audio)
Definition of complicatenext
1
as in to complex
to make complex or difficult the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

ˈkäm-pli-kət How to pronounce complicate (audio)
as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated the kind of complicate machinery that is used in the field of robotics

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
But news reports have since complicated that characterization. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026 Still, making that determination can be complicated, so consulting a tax professional may help. — Sharon Epperson, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Fires in salt cedar can create spotting conditions and complicate suppression efforts, especially on windy days, when embers are carried ahead of containment lines, according to the department. — Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 4 May 2026 Trump’s announcement, suggesting the US would police ships that have paid Iran a toll to transit the waterway, threatens to escalate naval activity and further complicate countries’ efforts to get energy from the region. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
  1. intensify
  2. deepen
  3. complicated
  4. embarrass
  5. worsen
  6. intricate
  7. perplex
  8. aggravate
Verb
  • Moscow and Kyiv have intensified their aerial assaults as progress along the 750-mile front line has largely ground to a halt.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Another major challenge is intensifying domestic competition and labor shortages as Japan’s birth rate declines and its population ages, Nagai said.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Vietnamese President To Lam met in Canberra last month, pledging to deepen their partnership on issues like defense and trade.
    — Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
  • What’s more, its growth runway could widen materially as the Huntsville, Alabama, company deepens its relationships with disruptive defense innovator Anduril Industries and space-launch leader SpaceX .
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of deepen
Adjective
  • The book and series focus on the complicated romance of Canadian hockey prodigy Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian phenom Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who are the fierce on-ice rivals and the league’s best players.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Another perspective may make the path feel much less complicated.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicated
Verb
  • But the Yanks are hot after embarrassing Boston with 9-0 and 9-2 victories in the Wild Card round.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Philadelphia embarrassed itself in a non-competitive loss at Chicago on Monday night, unable to go drive-for-drive with journeyman quarterback Case Keenum, a 38-year-old backup’s backup.
    — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.
    — Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of worsen
Adjective
  • The Rani drawstring bag captures the house’s savoir-faire with its miniature size, intricate beadwork and 3D floral embroidery by Sirivannavari Atelier and Academy.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The gasp-inducing scale and intricate stonework of Borobudur have attracted numerous global figures over the years.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of intricate
Verb
  • California‘s seven Supreme Court justices appeared by turns perplexed by and incredulous of those theories during oral arguments last month.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • They were perplexed at first, flummoxed, but pleasant, and unfortunately for them, already long gone from the airport.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of perplex
Verb
  • Higher mortgage rates aggravate the problem by discouraging many existing homeowners from selling.
    — Sheldon H. Jacobson, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • And those are things that end up aggravating behavioral health disabilities.
    — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggravate

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Cite this Entry

“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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