1
as in difficulty
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
the food allergies of the guests were just another complication for the couple trying to plan their wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
complications set in after the surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in complexity
the state or quality of having many interrelated parts or aspects
a problem of such irreducible complication as to defy any easy solution
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 complication
With less sun exposure than peak summer, there is a reduced risk of complications, though sun protection remains essential.
—
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
The research, presented at a major heart conference in Madrid last month and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that people who boosted their potassium levels were less likely to be hospitalized with heart rhythm issues or heart failure or to die from related complications.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
This isn’t just about needing glasses; myopia is a chronic condition that can lead to serious, vision-threatening complications later in life if left unmanaged.
—Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
The next six years were defined by a handful of health complications and fertility issues for the pair.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complication
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
The research, presented at a major heart conference in Madrid last month and published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that people who boosted their potassium levels were less likely to be hospitalized with heart rhythm issues or heart failure or to die from related complications.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
This isn’t just about needing glasses; myopia is a chronic condition that can lead to serious, vision-threatening complications later in life if left unmanaged.
—Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
The next six years were defined by a handful of health complications and fertility issues for the pair.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complication
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complication
Noun
-
House Speaker Mike Johnson already faced difficulties getting legislation across the finish line with a razor thin GOP majority.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Financial and legal difficulties have hit the hotel in recent months, including several foreclosure lawsuits.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Those drugs, which target rare diseases, and some newer cancer treatments are part of the reason Sun Life Financial covered 47 claims last year that cost over $3 million.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Certain health conditions, including liver disease, cancer, diabetes or HIV, or immunosuppressants, raise the risk for severe illness.—
Mollye Barrows,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Liquidity issue The push for retail involvement in private markets has nonetheless raised questions over whether everyday investors are equipped to take on the complexity and risk involved in the space, including the likely lack of ability to access their capital or returns for significant periods.—
Jenni Reid,Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The victim appears to have been dead for some time, adding to the complexity of the investigation, which is in its very early stages, the sources said.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Practitioners and patients alike have realized that there is no magical pill that treats all ailments for everyone.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Quarterback Brock Purdy has shoulder and toe ailments and will sit out at least the next two games.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His illness has limited him to light catch play over the past few days, and the shift in plans meant some slight alterations to his routine, which Ireton ran through with club security.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Some are clearly seismic, like bereavement, illness or war.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The economic conditions have put Fed policymakers in a bind.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Then, in June, Lyles cast the tiebreaking vote deciding not to study ways to improve working conditions for airport employees.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
One dares to hope that Hollywood, for all its current ills, may finally be turning a corner, reverting back to when new ideas were held at a premium.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.—
Time,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These include celiac disease, pelvic floor dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, hormonal imbalances such as hypothyroidism, metabolic disorders like diabetes, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or even certain cancers.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
-
There is no credible scientific evidence that acetaminophen causes autism or that leucovorin (a derivative of folic acid) can prevent the disorder, as the HHS report purportedly will suggest, according to reporting by the Wall Street Journal.—
Jon Hamilton,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complication. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share