as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
spent his first year at the Pentagon just trying to fathom its byzantine workings
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Recent Examples of byzantine
There are several key sites to explore, like Le Castella, an imposing Medieval fortress on the sea; Santa Severina’s Byzantine architecture and Norman Castle; and Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, known for its Greek and Roman temples and ruins.
—
Gary Portuesi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Similar underground storage pits and cisterns are beneath the Church of the Annunciation, among ruins traditionally identified, since the Byzantine period, as Mary’s house.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
The Byzantine era began in the early or late 300s, and ended in 1453 with the invasion of Constantinople by the Ottomans.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
One upshot of the menu’s byzantine sprawl is that every visit offers something new to discover.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, a 1908 Moorish fantasy commissioned by entrepreneur Nicolò Spada, boasts Byzantine domes and an eclectic façade that have sheltered everyone from Winston Churchill to Erroll Flynn, from Greta Garbo to Clark Gable.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The olive press suggests that the once-affluent estate was later repurposed for oil production, likely tied to the Samaritan Revolts under Byzantine rule.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
The project spans decades and grows increasingly Byzantine and bizarre.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Gary Portuesi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Similar underground storage pits and cisterns are beneath the Church of the Annunciation, among ruins traditionally identified, since the Byzantine period, as Mary’s house.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
The Byzantine era began in the early or late 300s, and ended in 1453 with the invasion of Constantinople by the Ottomans.
—Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
One upshot of the menu’s byzantine sprawl is that every visit offers something new to discover.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The Hotel Excelsior Venice Lido, a 1908 Moorish fantasy commissioned by entrepreneur Nicolò Spada, boasts Byzantine domes and an eclectic façade that have sheltered everyone from Winston Churchill to Erroll Flynn, from Greta Garbo to Clark Gable.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The olive press suggests that the once-affluent estate was later repurposed for oil production, likely tied to the Samaritan Revolts under Byzantine rule.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Congress had enacted byzantine eligibility requirements for disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits, forcing the agency to expend huge amounts of time and money running those programs.
—Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
The project spans decades and grows increasingly Byzantine and bizarre.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byzantine
Adjective
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Moscow has denied involvement, and security analysts caution that attribution is complicated.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
On a journey spanning four continents, the Kohlers will battle physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, navigate the complicated world of visas and hopefully break three world records in the process.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Lego Wicked Emerald City Wall Art This intricate 1,518-piece Emerald City Lego set is bound to keep adults and kids busy ahead of the new movie.—
Ali Faccenda,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
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Lou's movies are known for their intricate storylines and complex figures, but An Unfinished Film is surprisingly simple, containing little plot or character development.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The political resonance of his project arises not from an explicit statement of values but from a tender demonstration of complex, undeniable humanity.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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The fossil chemicals in question are a special types of steranes, which are the geologically stable form of sterols, like cholesterol, that are found in the cell membranes of complex organisms.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Burnett, the spokesperson for the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, said the scam calls have increased in frequency in recent years and become more sophisticated in the last year.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Cunlin Button-down Shirt There aren’t many clothing pieces that look more sophisticated than a crisp button-up shirt.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byzantine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byzantine. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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