complicate 1 of 2

1
2
as in to deepen
to make more severe asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

complicate

2 of 2

adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complicate
Verb
Traders have been concerned that U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff plans could elevate inflation, complicating the path for interest rate decisions. Pia Singh,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 7 May 2025 Needless to say, these factors complicate the firm’s future hiring plans. Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 7 May 2025
Adjective
Since the Trump administration took office, environmental activists have feared that certain existing standards could be rolled back and further complicate efforts to clean up American water supplies. Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2025 Trump’s policies, which ignite strong opinions, further complicate collaboration between employees with opposing perspectives. Julie Kratz, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
Verb
  • The temporary truce pulls the world's two largest economies back from the brink after trade between them nearly ground to a halt, raising recession risks in the U.S. and deepening deflationary pressures in China.
    Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Much like the overbuilding in the real estate sector that triggered a crisis and erased much of Chinese household wealth, excessive industrial capacity has deepened imbalances in the economy and raised questions about the model’s sustainability, particularly if broader conditions worsen.
    Li Yuan, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The plan gets more complicated than that and addresses other issues, but the main point is that the Republican proposal is a dramatic improvement over the current system.
    Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 10 May 2025
  • Clearly the Red Sox misread things here, but with Devers the situation is a little more complicated.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Since then, Israel has announced a plan to intensify its war on Gaza.
    Paul Elie, New Yorker, 9 May 2025
  • At the same time, customer acquisition costs are climbing, lifetime value is shrinking and the competitive landscape is intensifying.
    Amit Jhawar, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The situation for consumers has worsened as businesses have passed production costs down to their customers.
    Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
  • Delays also worsened, with 78.1% of flights arriving on time last year, down from 78.3% in 2023.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Human relationships are intricate and inherently messy, providing intangible benefits like growth through discomfort and emotional depth through complexity.
    Kim Samuel, Time, 14 May 2025
  • Overlooking Plaza San Francisco, climb to the rooftop bar for far reaching views of the city’s extraordinary skyline peppered with the intricate domes and towers of its many Baroque churches.
    Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Johnson’s predecessor, Larry Robinson, resigned last year amid fallout from a fake $237 million donation scandal that embarrassed the school on the national stage.
    Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 17 May 2025
  • What’s made the 18th so fun this week is its ability — even for just a second — to embarrass the best golfers on the planet.
    Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Eminem’s stalker was found guilty of first-degree home invasion and aggravated stalking after breaking into the rapper’s home outside of Detroit for a second time last summer, The Detroit News reports.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025
  • As a result, the clubs 12-26 start this season – 10 games off the pace of the front-running Chicago Cubs in the National League Central – aggravated the fan base.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • But this year’s state budget negotiations are far most complex than usual, given the uncertain future of Medicaid, a federal health care entitlement program run in cooperation with states.
    Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025
  • The Heat need something complex, complex to a degree of impacting multiple players at multiple positions.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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