1
as in to complex
to make complex or difficult
the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in complicated
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
the kind of complicate machinery that is used in the field of robotics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complicate
Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Matthews noted that the situation has been further complicated by a decline in federal funding.
—News Desk, Artforum, 12 June 2026
Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The shift would send states scrambling and complicate parents’ efforts to get young children vaccinated ahead of the coming respiratory virus season.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complicate
Verb
Alcohol consumption affects one’s ability to stay hydrated and can complicate matters.
—Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
Matthews noted that the situation has been further complicated by a decline in federal funding.
—News Desk, Artforum, 12 June 2026
Adjective
Families today are more anchored: two-income households complicate moves, aging demographics keep older homeowners in place, and many are locked into mortgage rates under 4%, unwilling to trade up into costlier loans.
—Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
The shift would send states scrambling and complicate parents’ efforts to get young children vaccinated ahead of the coming respiratory virus season.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicate
Verb
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At the same time, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and global competition is intensifying.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
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As supporters continued singing, waving flags and celebrating into the evening, anticipation for the match only intensified.—
J.M. Banks
June 15,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Cyber expertise cannot deepen when accountability is unclear, workloads are unmanaged and wellbeing is neglected.—
Harpreet Sidhu,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
Just to the west, sunset occurs as the partial eclipse deepens.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Federal Illegality Complicates What Cannabis Can Do The explanation for cannabis' absence begins with its complicated legal status.—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Claims About Cycle Syncing Improving Productivity This is where the science gets complicated.—
Allison Palmer
Updated June 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Verb
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In 1979, Jean-Louis Palladin arrived in Washington from Gascony, France, took up residence in the kitchen of the Watergate Hotel and proceeded to embarrass every serious cook in America.—
Bart Hutchins,
Washington Post,
12 June 2026
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Republicans in Washington are empowered—and eager—to investigate, embarrass, and punish the higher-education field.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Ongoing construction worsened the situation, but shortly after the interchange, traffic eased.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
16 June 2026
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China’s economic imbalance worsened in May as retail sales fell at the fastest pace in years, while industrial output accelerated, new data showed.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Together, the friends weave intricate webs of multi-player strategy just to avoid hurting someone else’s feelings.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Working with durable synthetic materials and intricate knotting techniques, the Miami artist explored resilience, preservation and the ties that bind communities together, turning simple text into quiet moments of reflection.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Verb
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But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat).—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2026
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Aryna Sabalenka being asked to dance after defeating Naomi Osaka in the French Open has one former American tennis star perplexed.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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He was removed from last Sunday’s game against the Mets after aggravating his hamstring running out a single.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
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Finding timely health care has been hard, aggravated by a lack of transportation.—
Elizabeth Cooney,
STAT,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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