complicated 1 of 2

Definition of complicatednext

complicated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of complicate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective complicated differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complicated are complex, intricate, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

When might complex be a better fit than complicated?

The words complex and complicated can be used in similar contexts, but complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When would intricate be a good substitute for complicated?

The synonyms intricate and complicated are sometimes interchangeable, but intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

When is it sensible to use involved instead of complicated?

The words involved and complicated are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When is knotty a more appropriate choice than complicated?

Although the words knotty and complicated have much in common, knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

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 complicated
Adjective
The worrisome drug withdrawal popping up in jails A powerful tranquilizer has started to accompany fentanyl in the country’s illicit opioid supply, and jails are struggling to handle the drug’s excruciating, complicated withdrawal symptoms. O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026 However, the politics are complicated as Long Feng (Chin Han) tries to keep the Earth King from knowing about the war and is eventually blackmailed into corruption by the Fire Nation princess, Azula (Elizabeth Yu). Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Verb
But the inability to coalesce behind a GOP nominee has complicated the path forward. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 June 2026 Field trials in the eastern DRC could also be complicated by geopolitical conflict, weak health systems, misinformation and population movement, which could affect recruitment and data collection. Paul Adepoju, Scientific American, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for complicated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated
Adjective
  • These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.
    MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tim Ferrito, leader of grassroots group Affordable Naperville, said the group was supportive of the city conducting a more detailed evaluation of the battery storage system and would like to see more information on the economic impact for Naperville.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • The ministry maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • This new era champions sophisticated, functional style beyond the water's edge.
    Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • The decor is sophisticated with gold and cream accents, leather bed heads and flecked carpet.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • In August 2023, Shirilla was convicted of murder, felonious assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, drug possession, and criminal tools possession (psilocybin mushrooms and a scale were found at the crime scene).
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 June 2026
  • Meanwhile the 27-year-old Pulisic injured his calf initially just last week in training and aggravated it during the USMNT’s World Cup opener—a 4-1 drubbing of Paraguay.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Coben, who also serves as an executive producer, explains the difficulty of creating the intricate inner worlds of each character and their doubts about David, all while dropping hints that reveal David's innocence in each episode.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
  • The Arabesque necklace, for example, which requires 1,450 hours of work, features intricate rose gold illuminated by 18 fancy rose-cut diamonds.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Storms involve complex flows originating over a wide region and evolving in complicated ways.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 27 June 2026
  • Police say the violence on Sydney’s streets is being orchestrated from abroad – and teenagers are being lured into the complex web of gang warfare with the promise of fast cash.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • And Wednesday’s doubleheader — thanks to a Monday rainout that perplexed Counsell — certainly didn’t help the pitching staff.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • Many are perplexed by the decision to partner with Target given the boycott taking place due to the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives.
    Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • My conscious connection to God has deepened.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 June 2026
  • In the years following 2020, cities nationwide experienced alarming increases in homicides, shootings and other crime as the COVID-19 pandemic upended daily life, destabilized local economies and deepened distrust in public institutions.
    Diane Goldstein, Mercury News, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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