complicate matters
idiom
: to make a situation more complicated
To (further) complicate matters, they both have the same name.
Examples of complicate matters in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These coexisting protections can complicate matters, however.
—
Joseph Choi, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025
Based on the composition of the current roster, Powell would set up as the logical choice starting choice here, but that also would complicate matters with Tyler Herro, an incumbent at the position who is coming off an All-Star season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
And then there’s the money, which almost never fails to complicate matters.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
To complicate matters, a suspicious landlady, Lorelai Brown (actress Pamela Britton) is always snooping around.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complicate matters
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Joseph Choi, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025
Based on the composition of the current roster, Powell would set up as the logical choice starting choice here, but that also would complicate matters with Tyler Herro, an incumbent at the position who is coming off an All-Star season.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
And then there’s the money, which almost never fails to complicate matters.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
To complicate matters, a suspicious landlady, Lorelai Brown (actress Pamela Britton) is always snooping around.
—Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complicate matters
Cite this Entry
“Complicate matters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complicate%20matters. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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