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
Shine says the optics of Israeli pressure on Washington could complicate matters.
—
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
To complicate matters, Gemma captures the attention of a former king who has designs on her.
—Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Craving an escape can complicate matters on the job as Venus and Uranus clash.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Strasser and Jung each said that previous injuries or existing hardware can complicate matters in some instances and be of no consequence in others.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complicate matters
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.
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
To complicate matters, Gemma captures the attention of a former king who has designs on her.
—Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Craving an escape can complicate matters on the job as Venus and Uranus clash.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Strasser and Jung each said that previous injuries or existing hardware can complicate matters in some instances and be of no consequence in others.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2026
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 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
