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
Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The amount also varies over time, further complicating the estimates.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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
Gumbs’ senior year at Simeon was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
The amount also varies over time, further complicating the estimates.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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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Haiti, the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, has been hit the hardest by rising oil prices that experts warn will deepen a spiraling humanitarian crisis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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The appointment comes as Rapha continues to expand its global community of riders and Rapha Cycling Club (RCC) members and deepen its presence in competitive cycling.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The figures had cracked in many places and some of the statues revealed their complicated armature.—
Douglas Stuart,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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Legacy therapeutic approaches are sometimes complicated, costly, slow or restricted in geography.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Spot gold, which is currently trading at around $4,838 per ounce, has fallen about 10% from its late-January peak, slipping into correction territory even as geopolitical risks intensify.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
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Washington has intensified its crackdown on the Cartel del Noreste - heir to the former Zetas - which has been accused of trafficking weapons, drugs and people, and is characterized by its violent practices and extortion.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Atmos says the rise reflects better detection and faster repairs, not worsening conditions.—
Lexi Salazar,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The crisis of American defense production has been slowly worsening since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.—
Garrett M. Graff,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Experts gain valuable insights into how animal brains acquire new skills and master intricate sounds by studying vocal learning.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
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The best and most intricate locks usually cost around $60 and can exceed $100.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The transparency issue also became important after the board embarrassed itself by quietly boosting board members’ pay by 25% — with Foley being the only member opposed.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
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Watching a prodigy embarrass the world over 72 holes was riveting; equally captivating is following the same person be exposed by life, hubris and ego.—
Mac Engel
April 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Flood watches are in effect for northern parts of Wisconsin and Michigan where multiple rounds of rainfall this week could aggravate ongoing river flooding and send more rivers surging.—
Chris Dolce,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
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An All-Star last season, Stowers has missed the first two-plus weeks of the season with a hamstring injury that was sustained early in spring training and was re-aggravated a week before the regular season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The show also distinguished itself in its willingness to tackle complex social and existential realities.—
Jean Garnett,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
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Reporting on misdeeds of an intimate nature can be especially difficult and complex.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicate. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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