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Definition of complex
1 : a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts a complex of welfare programs the military-industrial complex
2a : a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (such as hunting), process (such as use of flint), or culture unitb (1) : a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality a guilt complex (2) : an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation He has always had a complex about spiders. She has a weight complex. Not being able to find a job was giving me a complex.c : a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly knownd : the sum of factors (such as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition primary tuberculous complex
3 : a chemical association of two or more species (such as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds
4 : a building or group of buildings housing related units an apartment complex a sports complex
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Examples of complex in a Sentence
She has a complex about her appearance.
a complex of protein molecules
Recent Examples of complex from the Web
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According to Fairhaven's website, the Olympic-size indoor pool is used by the church's summer day camp as well as Fairhaven Baptist College, also located at the complex.
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That’s one unfortunate byproduct of today’s technology: Complex questions, matters of infinite scope and great importance, are reduced to little bites of empirical pseudo-truths.
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On June 25, Ava Le'Ray Barrin, a 17-year-old transgender girl, was fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Athens, Georgia, according to TransGriot.
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Those risks are what led the Mayor to decide to evacuate the complex.
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Tom Alcamo, with the U.S. EPA, said the agency is in the process of changing its approach to cleanup for Zone 1 after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the city's application to demolish the West Calumet complex.
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The snake in the video above was filmed on Saturday afternoon on a public path 100 yards from a condominium complex at the southeast edge of Del Mar. Temperatures will also be above average on Monday.
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Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration laid out its plan to close the Rikers Island jail complex on Thursday, saying doing so would take at least a decade.
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The discussions focused on sectors subject to complex...
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complex'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Complex Origins of complex
The word complex lives up to its name, as it contains multiple parts of speech and senses. It serves as an adjective, a noun, and, less commonly, as a verb. The verb use is the oldest of the three, with an original meaning of “to join or unite.” Complex comes from the Latin complecti, which means “to entwine around, to embrace,” a word that is based in part on plectere (“to braid”). English has a number of other words that can be traced to plectere, including perplex, plexus (“an intricately interwoven combination of elements or parts in a cohering structure”), and amplexus (“the mating embrace of some amphibians, such as frogs and toads”).
Origin and Etymology of complex
Late Latin complexus totality, from Latin, embrace, from complecti —see 2complex
Definition of complex
1a : composed of two or more parts : composite a complex mixture of chemicalsb (1) of a word : having a bound form as one or more of its immediate constituents Unmanly is a complex word. (2) of a sentence : consisting of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses
2 : hard to separate, analyze, or solve a complex problem
3 : of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers a complex root complex analysis
complexly
adverbcomplexness
nounExamples of complex in a Sentence
The house's wiring is complex.
The situation is more complex than you realize.
Recent Examples of complex from the Web
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The complex consists of 107 residential structures, an administration building, a community center, maintenance facility, guard house and two storage sheds, according to information provided by HUD.
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Sie reveals that fans will *finally* know the history behind Fat Amy's nickname because Fat Amy has a way bigger and more complex role.
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And, complex carbs are great and should be the centerpiece of your diet.
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Researchers found that left-handers outperformed the others as the math problems got progressively harder, particularly when the students had to apply complex reasoning and logic.
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The story allows us to look at ourselves as complex individuals.
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However, calculating the land value so it can be taxed at this rate depends on a range of criteria such as soil productivity and local millage rates, which is a complex calculation that can vary from state to state and from county to county.
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Rumor has it that the complex design holds a cryptic coded message.
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Scientists at these sites increase the understanding of complex ecosystems and give society the knowledge and tools to address environmental challenges.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complex'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of complex
Latin complexus, past participle of complecti to embrace, comprise (a multitude of objects), from com- + plectere to braid — more at ply
Synonym Discussion of complex
Examples of complex in a Sentence
there's no need to complex what should be a simple process for obtaining a building permit
Recent Examples of complex from the Web
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Juan Gavalda, MD, family medicine physician on the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, recommends three things that will help individuals stay energized all day long: ▪ Complex carbs–
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The regulation does hint at how long and complex any special-counsel investigation may turn out to be.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complex'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of complex
1658
COMPLEX Defined for English Language Learners
complex
playDefinition of complex for English Language Learners
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: a group of buildings, apartments, etc., that are located near each other and used for a particular purpose
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: an emotional problem that causes someone to think or worry too much about something
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: a group of things that are connected in complicated ways
complex
playDefinition of complex for English Language Learners
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: having parts that connect or go together in complicated ways
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: not easy to understand or explain : not simple
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grammar : consisting of a main clause and one or more additional clauses
COMPLEX Defined for Kids
complex
playDefinition of complex for Students
1 : not easy to understand or explain : not simple complex instructions
2 : having parts that go together in complicated ways a complex invention
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of complex
1: having many varied interrelated parts, patterns, or elements and consequently hard to understand complex behavior a complex personality complex plants and animals
2: formed by the union of simpler chemical substances complex proteins
Medical Definition of complex
1: a group of repressed memories, desires, and ideas that exert a dominant influence on the personality and behavior a guilt complex—see castration complex, electra complex, inferiority complex, oedipus complex, persecution complex, superiority complex
2: a group of chromosomes arranged or behaving in a particular way—see gene complex
3: a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than by covalent bonds
4: the sum of the factors (as symptoms and lesions) characterizing a disease primary tuberculous complex
Learn More about complex
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See words that rhyme with complex Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for complex Spanish Central: Translation of complex Nglish: Translation of complex for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of complex for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about complex
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