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
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 Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna shimmer with centuries of artistic heritage, their intricate patterns catching the Mediterranean light that filters through ancient churches.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 17 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
The multi-layered approach seemingly reflects exactly the Byzantine structure the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC hope to eliminate.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Syracuse began as an ancient Greek settlement nearly 3,000 years ago, and its beauty has beckoned both travelers and empires for centuries (Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Norman, to name a few).
—Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025
Glass lenses and the scientific revolution In the early 13th century, after the sacking of Constantinople, some excellent Byzantine glassmakers left their homes to settle in Venice – at the time a powerful economic and political center.
—Peter Mullner, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
The Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna shimmer with centuries of artistic heritage, their intricate patterns catching the Mediterranean light that filters through ancient churches.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 17 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
The multi-layered approach seemingly reflects exactly the Byzantine structure the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC hope to eliminate.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Syracuse began as an ancient Greek settlement nearly 3,000 years ago, and its beauty has beckoned both travelers and empires for centuries (Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, and Norman, to name a few).
—Michele Becker, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025
Glass lenses and the scientific revolution In the early 13th century, after the sacking of Constantinople, some excellent Byzantine glassmakers left their homes to settle in Venice – at the time a powerful economic and political center.
—Peter Mullner, The Conversation, 3 July 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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In Minnesota, there are contests for rosemaling, a Norwegian folk art, which is characterized by intricate patterns of flowers and swirls.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
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Captains also have the critical power to choose which players to pair together, an intricate dance of team chemistry and opposition matchup that can make or break a Ryder Cup bid.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 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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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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Fabiana Filippi The intellectually sophisticated references behind Fabiana Filippi’s spring 2026 collection hinged on work of master photographers Vivian Maier, Arne Svenson and Luigi Ghirri, perfectly shown in the ultra-refined, textured daywear.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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There were also more relaxed but sophisticated looks, such as the tunics and coats with mandarin collars.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Byzantine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byzantine. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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