as in to complicate
to make complex or difficult
my proposal would simplify the process, whereas yours would needlessly complexify it
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Recent Examples of complexify
Ju-yeong’s villainous backstory and present Like most of the characters in Good Boy, villain Ju-yeong doesn’t get a backstory that complexifies his actions.
—
Kayti Burt, Time, 21 July 2025
Blakely’s performance is indicative of The Private Life’s problems — the attempt to pastiche and complexify the popular understanding of this literary relationship ends up re-creating its most irritating qualities.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
But like Nichole says, there have been new complexifying factors in the meantime.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 31 July 2023
Rather than expand our singular viewpoint, calcified by confirmation and desirability biases, to a dualistic battle royale that may only further harden our stance, Grant suggests the solution is to explore other angles and viewpoints beyond our purview—to complexify.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes, 13 June 2021
In between the set pieces and special effects, those shows forgot about enriching and complexifying their themes.
—Wired Staff, Wired, 20 Dec. 2019
What’s the point of complexifying a straightforward election?
—Adam Rogers, WIRED, 6 June 2018
Kayti Burt, Time, 21 July 2025
Blakely’s performance is indicative of The Private Life’s problems — the attempt to pastiche and complexify the popular understanding of this literary relationship ends up re-creating its most irritating qualities.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
But like Nichole says, there have been new complexifying factors in the meantime.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 31 July 2023
Rather than expand our singular viewpoint, calcified by confirmation and desirability biases, to a dualistic battle royale that may only further harden our stance, Grant suggests the solution is to explore other angles and viewpoints beyond our purview—to complexify.
—Tim Maurer, Forbes, 13 June 2021
In between the set pieces and special effects, those shows forgot about enriching and complexifying their themes.
—Wired Staff, Wired, 20 Dec. 2019
What’s the point of complexifying a straightforward election?
—Adam Rogers, WIRED, 6 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complexify
Verb
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Their departures illustrate just how complicated the entire roster equation is, and perhaps how availability could outweigh the desire for name-power in future configurations.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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That calculus is complicated by the festival’s famously dense schedule.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Iran war intensified as Washington and Tehran focused their attention on the Strait of Hormuz and showed little sign of easing their aerial campaigns.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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Benoit Tessier | Reuters LONDON — European stocks are expected to open lower on Wednesday, as traders monitor intensifying operations in the Middle East.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complexify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complexify. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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