Definition of intricatenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective intricate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intricate are complex, complicated, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

When could complex be used to replace intricate?

In some situations, the words complex and intricate are roughly equivalent. However, complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When is complicated a more appropriate choice than intricate?

The words complicated and intricate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

Where would involved be a reasonable alternative to intricate?

The words involved and intricate can be used in similar contexts, but involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When might knotty be a better fit than intricate?

The synonyms knotty and intricate are sometimes interchangeable, but knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

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 intricate Such would have been the time pressures facing Wrexham that the intricate planning process involving legions of staff started late last year. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 May 2026 Much of the original architectural detail remains intact, including intricate woodwork, mahogany paneling, and oak entry doors, while the home also offers ample opportunity for customization or a refresh by the next owner. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 May 2026 Thorne's bra featured delicate straps and an intricate floral design layered over sheer mesh with a slight cinch at the center. Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 The earliest objects, from the Ptolemaic period (305-30 BCE), include the circular public bath, called a tholi, and intricate mosaic flooring belong to an adjacent Roman residential villa. Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for intricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intricate
Adjective
  • The Republican primary field is far more complicated.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 16 May 2026
  • This summer’s most unlikely wine trend does not involve a rare bottle or a complicated spritz.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The ministry is part of Gaza’s Hamas-run government, but staffed by medical professionals who maintain and publish detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community.
    Samy Magdy, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
  • While other operators submitted detailed incident summaries to the US regulator, Tesla blacked out every narrative entirely, labeling them as confidential business information.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The long answer is a little more complex.
    Diana Bocco, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • This single-sensor approach removes the need for the complex calibration typically required when combining separate lidar and camera systems.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Given the elaborate literary apparatus, the surprise is that the recipes mostly work, yielding cumin-y plovs with crispy-rice bottoms and rich Uyghur lamb noodles.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
  • Another fun and unusual offering here is gourd art ($109), which is much more elaborate than carving a pumpkin.
    Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 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
  • The bottoms don’t just feel more elegant, but are a quick way to make outfits appear upscale whether they’re styled with a T-shirt and sneakers or a button-up shirt and ballet flats.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • The palate is velvety and elegant, balancing weight with restraint.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The area North Cornwall has plenty of fancy restaurants, but Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow gets the balance right between sophisticated seafood and laidback service.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • As a solo artist, Batmanglij writes in a style that is baroque and sophisticated, and lightly warped in a way that recalls both Paul Simon and Radiohead.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Intricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intricate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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