COMPLICATED Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

complicated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkäm-plə-ˌkā-təd

Definition of complicated next

as in complicate

having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated a complicated apparatus

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in detailed

made or done with great care or with much detail complicated plans for redeveloping the riverfront that involve both the private and public sectors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complicated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of complicate

as in sophisticated

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

as in aggravated

to make more severe asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of complicated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

These findings could help companies review their structures to account for more complicated and extreme behaviors of 3D waves. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Sep. 2024 The parent company of Truth Social, the social media company majority-owned by former president Donald Trump, is turning a complicated corner on Thursday. —

Maria Aspan, NPR, 19 Sep. 2024 But the competition gets even more complicated when she feels unexpectedly drawn to rival vampire killer Raihn. ‘The City of Brass’ by S.A. Chakraborty Set in 18th-century Cairo, con woman Nahri has more than a few tricks up her sleeve. —

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024 With its terrifyingly topical look into the complicated mind of an autocratic leader, tour de force performances by the two leads, striking cinematography and notable period production design, this is a gripping cinematic experience that should attract international art-house distributors. —

Alissa Simon, Variety, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for complicated

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complicated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.