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complicated

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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
But those numbers belie a more complicated picture, as the tech sector reduced staffing by a net 10,314 jobs. Eoin Higgins, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025 But scientific research paints a more complicated picture. Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025 Cate Blanchett is no stranger to playing complicated, misunderstood women. Max Gao, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025 Ike Howard’s journey to the Oilers roster is a little more complicated. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complicated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated
Adjective
  • Tariffs, trade wars and economic uncertainty complicate operations and planning.
    Simon Dae Oong Kim, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • Now, sometimes the people or circumstances around us complicate that endeavor.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Rudman also highlighted the detailed marine artwork on some of the company’s new long-sleeve T-shirts.
    Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Whether their child is advanced or needs extra support, homeschooling offers a level of detailed instruction that cannot be attained in a classroom setting.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In the sixth inning, India re-aggravated the injury after reaching base on a one-out walk.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Apr. 2025
  • However, the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad aggravated already tense relations between Turkey and Israel, with their conflicting interests pushing the relationship toward a possible collision course.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Many companies have intricate criteria for funding projects and almost none for killing them.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Metallic gold elements, cotton jacquards and intricate embroideries are central to the romantic theme.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Navigating shifting federal priorities, complex public-private partnerships and global supply chain risks requires proactive engagement across governments, private investors and communities to secure sustainable capital and manage geopolitical uncertainties.
    Khaled Naja, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Parrilla has the more complex role; Bruiser is unprincipled and lacking in shame, yet generally correct and fair.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Deep divisions The angry scenes on Thursday highlighted divisions that have deepened since Netanyahu returned to power as head of a right-wing coalition at the end of 2022.
    Reuters, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Those convictions were only deepened in the spring and summer of 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic and post-George Floyd protests.
    Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to his famous perpetual calendar, Klaus also developed split-second, world time, depth gauge, and other sophisticated mechanisms culminating in the Il Destriero Scafusia in 1993, then the world’s most complicated wristwatch.
    Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Nearly three decades later, Daft Punk arguably upped the ante with its sophisticated synthesizer opus for the franchise’s second film, 2010’s Tron: Legacy, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
    Joe Lynch, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His content often involves big-budget, elaborate stunts and charitable acts.
    Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
  • One of the more elaborate locations was the Magdalen College, a constituent college that was founded in 1458, according to Elle.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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