Definition of INTRICATE

Choose the Right Synonym for intricate

complex, complicated, intricate, involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts. complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure. a complex recipe complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining. complicated legal procedures intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately. an intricate web of deceit involved implies extreme complication and often disorder. a rambling, involved explanation knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable. knotty ethical questions

Examples of intricate in a Sentence

Filigree is an ancient technique that creates an intricate, lace-like pattern through the combination of wire swirls and shapes. — Jeanne Rhodes-Moen, Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Fall 2007 Tsunami generation involves intricate interactions among earthquakes, landslides, and "sympathetic" vibrations between the quake and the ocean above it. — Robert Koenig, Science, 17 Aug. 2001 However, other random processes can be quite intricate; for example, the fluctuating prices of stocks are difficult to explain because there are so many variables and combinations of variables that are influencing the prices. — Lloyd Jaisingh, Statistics for the Utterly Confused, 2000 The movie has an intricate plot. an intricate machine that requires some training to use it properly

Recent Examples on the Web The city's rhythms are smooth, solid, intricate, and intimate. — Imani Mixon, Billboard, "Where to Dance In: Detroit," 24 Sep. 2019 This was only the beginning of intricate and potentially dangerous compact spaces undocumented immigrants have tried to squeeze into to cross the U.S. border. — Fox News, "The 9 craziest things seized by Customs and Border Protection," 15 Feb. 2020 Although there are only nine small dishes on the lunch menu and 15 on the dinner menu, each one is intricate and time consuming. — Claire Ballor, Dallas News, "How East Dallas’ tiny Khao Noodle Shop received major national attention and learned to survive — and thrive," 14 Feb. 2020 Buy now: Red Dead Redemption 2, Amazon Hitman 2 Playing Hitman 2 is like tip-toeing through an intricate and masterfully constructed clockwork theme park. — Matthew Gault, Time, "The 10 Best Xbox One X Games You Can Play Right Now," 5 Feb. 2020 Inside the building, a handful of squat cylindrical robots scuttle about, following an intricate and invisible pattern. — Will Knight, Wired, "China's AI Unicorns Can Spot Faces. Now They Need New Tricks," 12 Dec. 2019 Museum officials said the sets that were stolen included intricate and dazzling brooches, buttons, buckles and other items. — David Rising, Anchorage Daily News, "Thieves steal ‘priceless’ jewel sets from German museum," 25 Nov. 2019 Soon, after more intricate and nefarious schemes, Ki-taek has replaced the chauffeur and Chung-sook the housekeeper. — Bill Goodykoontz, azcentral, "Five stars for compelling new indie film ‘Parasite’," 24 Oct. 2019 Their triple twist to start proceedings was almost stratospheric, and their lifts were intricate. — Barry Wilner, BostonGlobe.com, "Nathan Chen submits personal best in dominant short program win," 25 Jan. 2020

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