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 of complicate

Verb

• complex
• intensify
• embarrass
• perplex
• complexify
• confuse
• entangle

Adjective

• complicated
• intricate
• complex

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

Israel’s assassination campaign sometimes complicated Chalker’s attempts to recruit defectors. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

With the rallies over, the differences in ideology could complicate efforts to deliver their votes. —Susan Page, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Higher prices for trucks and equipment only exacerbates its budget concerns and complicate readiness for upcoming events, such as the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 L.A. Summer Olympics. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 27 Feb. 2026

Turkey's experience demonstrated how concentrated economic relationships between business elites and political leadership complicate assessments of institutional independence—even when the underlying commercial logic proves sound. —Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for complicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

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