Synonyms of complicate

complicate 1 of 2

verb

ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt 

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

• complex
• intensify
• embarrass
• perplex
• complexify
• confuse
• entangle
• expand
• elaborate
• sophisticate
• develop
• muddle
• confound
• magnify
• mix (up)
• snarl
• tangle
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simplify
• streamline
• shorten
• facilitate
• cut
• ease
• unravel
• straighten (out)
• abbreviate
• disentangle
• untangle
• oversimplify

2

as in to deepen

to make more severe

asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deepen
• worsen
• aggravate
• intensify
• exacerbate
• amplify
• magnify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• alleviate
• mitigate
• relieve
• ease
• improve
• better
• allay
• assuage
• ameliorate

complicate

2 of 2

adjective

ˈkäm-pli-kət 

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

• complicated
• intricate
• complex
• sophisticated
• tangled
• convoluted
• elaborate
• difficult
• involved
• labyrinthine
• knotty
• byzantine
• baroque
• varied
• involute
• labyrinthian
• daedal
• challenging
• mixed
• heterogeneous
• multifaceted
• composite
• multifarious
• tough
• overcomplicated
• compound
• overcomplex
• incomprehensible
• inexplicable
• unintelligible
• unfathomable
• multipart
• multibranched
• impenetrable
• Kafkaesque

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simple
• uncomplicated
• plain
• simplistic
• simplified
• noncomplex
• noncomplicated
• homogeneous
• uniform
• oversimplified
• unvaried

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of complicate

Verb

But in a new plot twist, the mathematicians showed how the four-strand braid complicates the relationship, but in the end, its matrices still remain faithful. — Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 24 July 2026

The deal comes as tariffs and volatile trade policies complicate customs compliance for importers and logistics providers. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Adjective

Trump’s announcement, suggesting the US would police ships that have paid Iran a toll to transit the waterway, threatens to escalate naval activity and further complicate countries’ efforts to get energy from the region. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Apr. 2026

Revenue-sharing terms, cloud exclusivity arrangements, and the ongoing Elon Musk fraud lawsuit against OpenAI all complicate what is otherwise an extraordinary paper return. — Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2026