intricacy

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noun in·tri·ca·cy \ ˈin-tri-kə-sē \

Definition of intricacy

plural intricacies

1 :the quality or state of being intricate

2 :something intricate

the intricacies of a plot

See intricacy defined for English-language learners

See intricacy defined for kids

Examples of intricacy in a Sentence

She admired the composition for its beauty and intricacy.
I had trouble following all the intricacies in the plot.
the intricacies of English grammar

Recent Examples of intricacy from the Web

Both men’s aggressive, domineering style proved a poor fit for the intricacies and complications of governing.

— joshua green, Bloomberg.com, "Bannon’s Path From Trusted Attack Dog to Toxic Liability," 18 Aug. 2017
Always sure to include a prominent byline for himself, Gernsback delved into the intricacies of subjects like radio wave communication, fixating without fail on untapped potential and unrealized possibilities.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "Remembering Sci-Fi Pioneer Hugo Gernsback," 18 Aug. 2017
Wendover Productions breaks down the intricacies that modern airlines use to try to keep flights steadily progressing across the day.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Logic Behind How Airlines Schedule Flights," 1 Aug. 2017
Many Republicans see the tax code as a complex but less emotionally charged issue than health care — though its intricacies have stymied major changes for more than 20 years and the GOP plans released so far consist mostly of outlines and goals.

— jonathan tamari, Philly.com, "Health repeal wrecked, GOP hopes to deliver on taxes," 29 July 2017
After watching her mother struggle with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, daughter's fear and curiosity end up informing her community on the intricacies of genetic testing.

— paul sisson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Do parents' Alzheimer's disease doom their children?," 14 July 2017
The National Association of Landscape Professionals has helped us round up some of the prettiest lawns around the South – from the intricacy of Biltmore estate to perfectly manicured backyards.

— abbi wilt, Southern Living, "8 Amazing Southern Lawns," 11 July 2017
The public has little understanding of the intricacies of executive compensation, including that much of a CEO’s pay comes not in cash but in stock.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Do these CEOs deserve their high pay packages?," 3 July 2017
The piano writing, nodding to the taste at the time for florid, virtuosic passagework, brims with brilliance and rippling runs, as well as captivating elegance and intricacy.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Listening to the Piece That Made Chopin’s Career," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intricacy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of intricacy

1602

intricacy Synonyms

Synonyms

complexity, complicacy, convolution, difficulty, complication

Antonyms

plainness, simpleness, simplicity

Related Words

aftereffect, ramification, side effect (also side reaction); subtlety, technicality; annoyance, bitch, bother, headache, inconvenience, matter, trouble

Near Antonyms

simplification; homogeneity, uniformity

INTRICACY Defined for English Language Learners

intricacy

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noun

Definition of intricacy for English Language Learners

: the quality or state of being complex or having many parts : the quality or state of being intricate
: something that is complex or detailed : something intricate