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
And yet their feelings toward Jackson were complicated. — Danielle Bacher, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Few of these filmmakers are aiming for mainland Chinese audiences, due to the high costs, cultural differences and censorship issues that complicate releasing films in that market. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
What the presence of TSMC does do is complicate an already complex situation. — Kerry Brown, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 That the aircraft impacted the ground so violently will no doubt complicate investigators' work, given the state of the physical evidence, Axios' Fitzpatrick adds. — Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 2 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
  1. deepen
  2. complicated
  3. intensify
  4. worsen
  5. intricate
  6. embarrass
  7. aggravate
  8. complex
Verb
  • What’s Next: The Fed, Earnings, and More Tariff Talk As investors look forward, the focus shifts to a few catalysts that could either stabilize markets or deepen the decline: The Federal Reserve’s next moves, a fresh batch of economic data, Russia Ukraine Peace talks, and the ongoing trade war.
    — Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Both prove facile stabs at deepening their male counterparts.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of deepen
Adjective
  • Getting out of bed early is less complicated than people think, according to Barrett.
    — Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The mechanics of an evacuation just aren’t that complicated.
    — Rascal Kemble-Curry, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of complicated
Verb
  • Trump’s hardline approach to deporting immigrants has intensified America’s already-stark partisan divide.
    — Brad Heath, Joshua Schneyer, Marisa Taylor, Sarah N. Lynch, Mike Spector, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • As climate goals become more urgent and regulatory pressures intensify, retailers are at a pivotal moment in their sustainability journeys.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of intensify
Verb
  • But losses continued, worsened by the high inflation that had shoppers tightening their clothing budgets.
    — Alina Selyukh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Pope Francis was diagnosed with a complex viral, bacterial and fungal respiratory tract infection that worsened before improving earlier last week.
    — Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of worsen
Adjective
  • Where the Rubik's Cube is solved by twisting blocky columns in intricate patterns and sequences, the Magic Cube design is a much simpler proposition.
    — Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Some, like Martin’s idol and inspiration, J.R.R. Tolkien, are architects, meticulously planning out their intricate worlds and the hundreds of characters and story lines that exist within them.
    — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of intricate
Verb
  • Get okay with the idea that in the future, your past work will embarrass you.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The Vance memes seem to contain an admission as well: that even some conservatives do not see him as essential to the current MAGA movement. Consider the fact that Democrats have long tried to embarrass Trump with memes and images of him as an infant, a Cheeto, and other forms.
    — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of embarrass
Verb
  • He was charged with official misconduct, offering a false instrument, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating without insurance, and driving with a facsimile license plate.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Henley is charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, both class 4 felonies.
    — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of aggravate
Adjective
  • While most jurisdictions are moving forward with digital tax reforms to ensure that foreign providers contribute to public revenue, the Dominican Republic has so far stepped back—highlighting the complex political and economic considerations that influence digital tax policy.
    — Aleksandra Bal, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Those on the inside track have already discovered white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a racy but complex regional style of white wine that is popping up on tables and shelves with increasing frequency.
    — Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of complex

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complicate
complicated
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“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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