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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 complicated

Adjective

However, with tens of thousands of people now displaced by the fires, the equation has become more complicated. —

Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 Renaming the Gulf of Mexico could be more complicated. —

Addy Bink, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 The pardons largely undo the results of one of the most complicated investigations in the history of the Justice Department. —

Carrie Johnson, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025 The mounting internal investigations have mired city offices in distraction and complicated Hogsett's day-to-day activities. —

Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for complicated

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated

Adjective

Strong winds sweeping through L.A. continue to spread the wildfires as well as complicate containment, with the biggest blaze — the Palisades fire — only 11 percent contained, fire officials estimated.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 12 Jan. 2025
Bananas have high sugar which can lead to or further complicate diabetes in your cat.

— Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025