complicate

1 of 2

verb

com·​pli·​cate ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt 

complicated; complicating

transitive verb

1

: to make complex or difficult

2

: involve

especially : to cause to be more complex or severe

a virus disease complicated by bacterial infection

3

: to combine especially in an involved or inextricable manner

complicate

2 of 2

adjective

com·​pli·​cate ˈkäm-pli-kət 

1

: complex, intricate

2

: conduplicate

Synonyms

Verb

• complex
• complexify
• embarrass
• entangle
• perplex
• sophisticate

Adjective

• baroque
• byzantine
• complex
• complicated
• convoluted
• daedal
• elaborate
• intricate
• involute
• involved
• knotty
• labyrinthian
• labyrinthine
• sophisticated
• tangled

Examples of complicate in a Sentence

Verb

Changing jobs now would complicate her life.

a disease complicated by infection

Adjective

the kind of complicate machinery that is used in the field of robotics

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Russia’s assault on Ukraine has enhanced the prospect of the world’s splintering into rival camps, complicating the geography of international trade. —Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 2 June 2024

Fact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield Being Afro-Latinx can be complicated. —Eliana Bishop, Parents, 2 June 2024

Adjective

Aid groups say logistical issues and the precarious security situation -- underscored by the strike on the aid workers -- complicate deliveries. —Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 11 Apr. 2024

Those groups say logistical issues and the precarious security situation – underscored by the WCK strike – complicate aid deliveries. —Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

earlier, "to fold together, intertwine, combine in an involved manner," borrowed from Medieval Latin complicātus, past participle of complicāre "to fold together, wrap around, envelop, interweave" — more at complicate entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin complicātus, from past participle of complicāre "to fold together, wrap around, envelop, interweave," going back to Latin, "to fold together, fold up," from com- com- + plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

First Known Use

Verb

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing complicate

• complicate matters

Kids Definition

complicate

verb

com·​pli·​cate

ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt

complicated; complicating

: to make or become complex or difficult

Medical Definition

complicate

transitive verb

com·​pli·​cate ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt 

complicated; complicating

: to cause to be more complex or severe

a virus disease complicated by bacterial infection