Definition of complicationnext
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as in difficulty
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult the food allergies of the guests were just another complication for the couple trying to plan their wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of complication Further complications may come up in the list of cities on Serve's expansion map, including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle, as well as a first set of international markets that include London, Sydney, Tokyo, and Vancouver. Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026 As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them. William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026 The complications showcased in Schulz-Hildebrandt’s nine dot optical illusion is a great example of a phenomenon called simultaneous contrast. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026 But every once in a while, the complication can be major. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complication
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complication
Noun
  • The challenge of weather-app creation lies both in the improbability of accurately predicting the weather and in the difficulty of designing something that works for any user, anywhere.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
  • House conservatives came out against the deal before it was even announced, signaling the difficulty Republican leadership in both chambers could face to end the monthlong DHS shutdown.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Burning coal produces fine particles that lodge deep in the lungs and bloodstream, raising the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and chronic respiratory disease, according to the World Health Organization.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Houry points to recent public health threats caused by vaccine preventable diseases, on which Kennedy has not given the typical response of promoting vaccines.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The opening notes of the title song introduced the exquisite complexity that characterized the album as a whole.
    Chris Young, AJC.com, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Wacksman said an education gap remains a high barrier for many prospective buyers, as most don’t fully understand the complexity of housing transactions.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • And their best is Ragans, the opening day ace who was limited to just 13 starts while battling a groin injury and then a rotator cuff ailment in 2025.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
  • These bacteria are known to cause a host of ailments, including listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Guillain-Barré syndrome, miscarriage, brucellosis, chronic inflammatory conditions, reactive arthritis and death.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Art Dlugach, a longtime sports producer for KPIX in San Francisco, died Thursday morning in Texas, surrounded by his family after a brief illness.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • But Trump does not oppose giving voters accommodations to vote by mail for illness, disability, military or travel.
    Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • To reduce costs, researchers from Cornell University have been exploring fuel cells that operate in alkaline conditions instead of acidic ones.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The wounded man was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition early Thursday morning, Police Chief Eddie Garcia said.
    Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The first New Mexico trial on the ills and dangers of social media platforms began in February after a nearly three-year probe by the state.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
  • And Pearl, while making his team’s case Thursday, unwittingly did a fine job of spelling out the ills of expansion as well.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In adults, high levels of lead exposure can cause reproductive problems in both men and women, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration issues and muscle and joint pain.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Noise pollution is a real health issue linked to sleep disorders, elevated blood pressure and anxiety.
    Kim Komando The Kim Komando Show, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complication. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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