as in intricate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
labyrinthine politics that left us totally befuddled
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Recent Examples of labyrinthine
Chicago Public Schools comprise a vast, labyrinthine system boasting over 316,000 students across 630 locations.
—
Jerel Ezell, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
The film features a labyrinthine storyline that connects in surprising ways; superb production values, including enough Los Angeles location shooting to counteract all that runaway production; and excellent performances from an overstuffed cast (even minor roles are filled by major actors).
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Levi’s Stadium was transformed into a labyrinthine sugarcane field, perhaps as a nod to Central San Vicente, the first sugarcane refinery in Puerto Rico, established in 1873 in Bad Bunny’s hometown of Vega Baja.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
In many ways the behind-the-scenes chief architect of the state’s budget adoption process, Keane has piloted dozens of legislatures through the labyrinthine task of crafting the multibillion plans that guide so much of life here.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for labyrinthine
Jerel Ezell, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
The film features a labyrinthine storyline that connects in surprising ways; superb production values, including enough Los Angeles location shooting to counteract all that runaway production; and excellent performances from an overstuffed cast (even minor roles are filled by major actors).
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Levi’s Stadium was transformed into a labyrinthine sugarcane field, perhaps as a nod to Central San Vicente, the first sugarcane refinery in Puerto Rico, established in 1873 in Bad Bunny’s hometown of Vega Baja.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
In many ways the behind-the-scenes chief architect of the state’s budget adoption process, Keane has piloted dozens of legislatures through the labyrinthine task of crafting the multibillion plans that guide so much of life here.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for labyrinthine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for labyrinthine
Adjective
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There are 70 structures to explore, and what sets it apart from sites such as Angkor Wat is the construction techniques – the Cham people used red bricks decorated with intricate carvings, and historians have failed to work out how these bricks were fired.—
Tamara Hinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
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Because of their intricate root systems, mangroves are uniquely resilient to the waves and wind from storms.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The complicated and delicate efforts to rescue the 12-15 meter (39-49 feet) whale off a sandbank at Timmendorfer Strand beach earlier this week captivated Germans — with media sending news alerts of updates on its progress and streaming live video from the scene.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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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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Research also suggests that state and federal gas taxes are just one component of a complex pricing scheme that includes the global price of oil and other factors, the group said.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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The scandal is now expanding into an international investigation, placing Miami at the center of a complex web of shell companies, offshore transfers and opaque financial flows.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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During this time, civilization saw the emergence of more sophisticated tools, such as those made of bone, ivory, and antlers, according to Britannica.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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Typically, drones navigate using a combination of sensors, cameras, controllers, a power source, and sophisticated algorithms that interpret environmental data to make decisions.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Labyrinthine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/labyrinthine. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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