labyrinthine

adjective

lab·​y·​rin·​thine ˌla-bə-ˈrin(t)-thən  -ˈrin-ˌthīn  -ˌthēn 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling a labyrinth : intricate, involved

2

: of, relating to, affecting, or originating in the internal ear

labyrinthine lesions

Synonyms of labyrinthine

• intricate
• complicated
• complicate
• complex
• sophisticated

Examples of labyrinthine in a Sentence

labyrinthine politics that left us totally befuddled

Recent Examples on the Web

Inside, the labyrinthine club features three separate rooms with independent sound systems for live acts and DJs playing techno, drum and bass, dubstep, and house. —Zoey Goto, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, others can be frustrating as players navigate the subspace and figure out how these labyrinthine and abstract areas connect to the real interdimensional worlds. —Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

Chicago Public Schools comprise a vast, labyrinthine system boasting over 316,000 students across 630 locations. —Jerel Ezell, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026

The film features a labyrinthine storyline that connects in surprising ways; superb production values, including enough Los Angeles location shooting to counteract all that runaway production; and excellent performances from an overstuffed cast (even minor roles are filled by major actors). —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for labyrinthine

• acetylene
• adenosine
• amphetamine
• anthropocene
• antipyrine
• apomorphine
• apoprotein
• aquamarine
• arsphenamine
• azobenzene
• buprenorphine
• chlorobenzene

Medical Definition

labyrinthine

adjective

lab·​y·​rin·​thine -ˈrin(t)-thən; -ˈrin-ˌthīn  -ˌthēn 

: of, relating to, affecting, or originating in the inner ear

human labyrinthine lesions