1
as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
this medical device is a complex instrument that requires careful handling complex issues regarding free speech and school discipline
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in intricate
made or done with great care or with much detail
a complex plan for evacuating the city in the event of a natural disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in facility
a structure that is designed and built for a particular purpose
an apartment complex
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in system
something made up of many interdependent or related parts
a complex of government programs designed to assist the needy
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
there's no need to complex what should be a simple process for obtaining a building permit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complex
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Building the testbed was a complex task that took more than a year of planning and construction, according to Dreyer.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Mark Kreidler, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
The hearing on an injunction that would prevent the destruction of items still inside units at The Cooper, the Fort Worth apartment complex where more than 800 residents were displaced after a six-alarm fire June 23, ended Wednesday without a final ruling.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complex
Adjective
This ambivalence reflects a complex attitude toward both parties.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
Building the testbed was a complex task that took more than a year of planning and construction, according to Dreyer.
—Leonard David, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
This two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,232-square-foot condo in a former mattress factory oozed charm, and the tiny gated complex that contained it was almost enveloped by the lush garden in the common area.
—Mark Kreidler, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
The hearing on an injunction that would prevent the destruction of items still inside units at The Cooper, the Fort Worth apartment complex where more than 800 residents were displaced after a six-alarm fire June 23, ended Wednesday without a final ruling.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complex
Adjective
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Some say the video represents a rising crime problem in the city, but crime statistics paint a more complicated picture.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
14 Aug. 2025
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In interviews with more than 30 lawmakers, political figures, supporters, friends, and critics, Mamdani emerges as both more interesting and more complicated than the caricatures suggest.—
Mark Chiusano,
Time,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The makeup team had to elevate his cheekbones, reshape his eyebrows, add prosthetic elements including a substantial belly for later sequences, and craft the intricate facial hair that defines the aristocratic Rao Bahadur.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
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Along with the intricate passing sequences they have traditionally been known for, the Catalans embraced directness and verticality, becoming one of Europe’s best counter-attacking sides.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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More than 1,000 workers turned out to the polls over the Aug. 26-27 voting period, just one week after the facility officially started production, to settle a tense union campaign that has gripped the Hardin County plant for most of the year.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
29 Aug. 2025
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Cal Expo plans to use the potential facility for concerts and other events, in addition to hosting Sac State football games.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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And while Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has vowed to introduce a quality and safety assurance system for marine and fisheries products to align with U.S. and global import standards, there is still work to be done.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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SpaceX is developing Starship to be a fully reusable transportation system, meaning both the rocket and vehicle can return to the ground for additional missions.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When people appear in person to cancel their memberships, the suit alleges that LA Fitness complicates the process by enacting a policy that states only one employee is allowed to process cancellations.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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Some may argue that this demand could complicate peace talks.—
Irwin Redlener,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The new engines combine internal combustion and electric power in a sophisticated — and as yet unproven — hybrid system.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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This scientific protocol to density planning is often referred to favorably on patient forums, something that has clearly increased the clinic's reputation among those in search of sophisticated hair restoration options.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Refer to the school map for detailed driving directions.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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Just like the web player, the experience felt plucked from the early-aughts days of Limewire downloads and the detailed labor of CD and cassette mixtapes.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Cox’s wired network can deliver stable speeds for households with multiple users.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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This triggered an overly optimistic deployment of fiber optic networks, which led to catastrophic bankruptcies when the demand did not materialize in the short term.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complex. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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