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
Following a behind-schedule and over-budget redevelopment by Transport for London, the roundabout was replaced last year with a byzantine road and cycle lane layout which, peppered with traffic lights, causes constant congestion in the area.
—
Ian King, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Connor, as a soccer novice, initially had no clue how the byzantine qualification process worked.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The long-form contract has become a byzantine artifact, a ritual of delay that benefits no one except perhaps the law firms billing hours on both ends.
—George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Washington—what with its byzantine rules and aggressive gridlock—would not box him in.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
This byzantine corporate structure apparently did not exist until Altman devised it.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
The utility has more than 2 million power and water customers and is governed by byzantine rules.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
The layout is byzantine in part because Paramount bought the former rival RKO studio lot from Desilu Productions to create the lot known today.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Enrigue is an erudite, charismatic raconteur—the sort who will tell you the most abject story with a wink—and his novel distills a byzantine swirl of historical events through the lives of a handful of very colorful characters.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Ian King, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Connor, as a soccer novice, initially had no clue how the byzantine qualification process worked.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 3 June 2026
The long-form contract has become a byzantine artifact, a ritual of delay that benefits no one except perhaps the law firms billing hours on both ends.
—George Heller, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2026
Washington—what with its byzantine rules and aggressive gridlock—would not box him in.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
This byzantine corporate structure apparently did not exist until Altman devised it.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
The utility has more than 2 million power and water customers and is governed by byzantine rules.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
The layout is byzantine in part because Paramount bought the former rival RKO studio lot from Desilu Productions to create the lot known today.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Enrigue is an erudite, charismatic raconteur—the sort who will tell you the most abject story with a wink—and his novel distills a byzantine swirl of historical events through the lives of a handful of very colorful characters.
—Carolina A. Miranda, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for byzantine
Adjective
-
This will surely bring up some complicated emotions.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2026
-
Behind the glitter, grooves and Grammy-winning legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire sits a more complicated story, revealing a more personal side of the band’s founder, Maurice White.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Art Nouveau design incorporates ceiling frescoes, terra-cotta floors, and intricate woodwork.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
-
Some limited sets are as affordable as $25, while the largest, most intricate sets can cost up to $500.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
19 June 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
-
That air should be JR’s vital collaborator — no complex and costly scaffolding for these magic mountains — is nothing new in Paris.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Founded by Marc-André Roy and Jared Etzel in 2012, Domaine Roy & Fils is known for its elegant interpretations of Burgundy-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, so this complex but somewhat lighthearted rosé comes as a pleasant surprise.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
Their 50-acre estate in the center of Rutherford is home to Bordeaux varieties, including the Malbec used to make this sophisticated rosé, which proffers a nose of raspberry, clementine, and freesia.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
-
The organic edging and modern handles create a sleek, sophisticated finish.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Byzantine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/byzantine. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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