complicate 1 of 2

1
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

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 in Belvidere, Illinois, the reality is complicated. Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 19 May 2025 Politics Fate of California’s auto standards will come down to Senate battle May 1, 2025 While the Clean Air Act issue is complicated, other battles may be simpler. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
Since the Trump administration took office, environmental activists have feared that certain existing standards could be rolled back and further complicate efforts to clean up American water supplies. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2025 Trump’s policies, which ignite strong opinions, further complicate collaboration between employees with opposing perspectives. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
Verb
  • Months passed and her discomfort deepened into a piercing pain, but by the time she was taken seriously, a scary diagnosis left one of her ovaries beyond saving.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • This could deepen existing social inequalities, creating new layers of privilege and marginalization.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • My work centers Native characters who are fully human: messy, funny, complicated.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 May 2025
  • The result is a mosaic of broods that makes the jigsaw puzzle of periodical cicada distribution more complicated, but more interesting.
    Chris Simon, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • The September departure of OpenAI’s chief technology officer, Mira Murati, who then founded a rival AI startup, has intensified the AI talent war.
    Anna Tong, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • And political repression has intensified since Maduro’s fraudulent July 2024 re-election, says a new report by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) advocacy group.
    Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • There are also mental health impacts with worsening anxiety, stress, and depression in the hotter summer months.
    Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Truckers are a key industrial force that helps keep the worsening Iranian economy above water.
    Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The subtle hum of intricate mechanics, the remarkably articulate gesture of a synthetic limb, the disquieting echo of human movement – humanoid robots are no longer relegated to the realm of fiction.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • An avid builder and gamer, Max loves constructing intricate creations with LEGOs and diving into videogame worlds where his creativity can roam free.
    MARE Staff, Boston Herald, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • McGregor dismantled Aldo during the pre-fight lead-up and subsequently embarrassed him in 13 seconds at UFC 194 in 2015.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • But Mei is convinced her overbearing mother only exists to embarrass while never understanding her struggles.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Shannon Smith, 48, was sentenced to 8.5 years behind bars after pleading guilty to one count of taking the identity of another and four counts of aggravated taking the identity of another, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said in a May 22 news release.
    Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2025
  • But markets are betting that making the 2017 tax cuts permanent as well as eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, with only partial revenue offsets, will aggravate the fiscal problems.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, Jarrett contributed to research suggesting the Vikings participated in more complex trading routes with Indigenous Arctic tribes than previously believed.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
  • Unlike traditional car batteries, lithium-ion packs are complex, often made up of hundreds of individual cells.
    Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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