1
as in intensifies
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
2
as in deepens
to make more severe
asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complicates
That complicates the fantasy that classic stoner movies once relied on.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
That reality complicates the industry’s fixation on recycling, particularly the push toward closed-loop systems that promise to turn old garments into new ones.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
This pile of letters complicates the story that is usually told about men and feminism.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The difficulty in finding a site complicates McCarty’s policy to expand services for tiny homes dedicated to Sacramento’s seniors.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
On wealth accumulation, the incoming Great Wealth Transfer complicates the pessimism narrative significantly.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
The war in Iran complicates that effort by potentially slowing growth and stoking inflation at the same time, outcomes that would call for opposite policy responses.
—Chris Wellisz, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The 2026 World Cup and busy summer of transfer activity further complicates things.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
In particular, the global nature of the trade complicates efforts to manage risk.
—Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Apr. 2026
That reality complicates the industry’s fixation on recycling, particularly the push toward closed-loop systems that promise to turn old garments into new ones.
—Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026
This pile of letters complicates the story that is usually told about men and feminism.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The difficulty in finding a site complicates McCarty’s policy to expand services for tiny homes dedicated to Sacramento’s seniors.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
On wealth accumulation, the incoming Great Wealth Transfer complicates the pessimism narrative significantly.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
The war in Iran complicates that effort by potentially slowing growth and stoking inflation at the same time, outcomes that would call for opposite policy responses.
—Chris Wellisz, semafor.com, 14 Apr. 2026
The 2026 World Cup and busy summer of transfer activity further complicates things.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
In particular, the global nature of the trade complicates efforts to manage risk.
—Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates
Verb
-
That intensifies pressure on housing, infrastructure and the environment, Majorca Daily Bulletin reported.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Philadelphia is expected to reach 87 on Tuesday before the heat intensifies to a high of 91 later in the week.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Set during a bleak Arctic winter, the mystery deepens with the strange death of an elderly woman and another shocking murder.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2026
-
That gap, however, is expected to close as capabilities improve and adoption deepens.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But the stunt goes south as Wooley turns out to be an unabashed bigot who embarrasses the show and gets scolded by the host.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Flood conditions in Northern Lower Michigan have become increasingly dire in recent days, as heavy rainfall aggravates the winter snowmelt in the region.—
Terrance Friday,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Smoke from wildfires penetrates deep into the lungs and aggravates respiratory disease more than any other type of pollution.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The scarcity of facilities exacerbates the problem of families having to travel sometimes long distances to visit their disabled children, the court found, further isolating the kids.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The state’s notorious summer heat exacerbates overdose deaths, according to recent research.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The low-performing chefs are Rhoda, whose lamb confuses the kids; Sherry, whose grits were oddly flavored; and Oscar, whose puff pastry soaked up all the deep-fryer oil.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Strong cleaners can leave residue that actually worsens allergy symptoms.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The funding is aimed at supporting a three-pronged plan put forward by a South End, Roxbury, and Newmarket community working group in February that focuses on getting addicts off the streets, out of jail, and into recovery to avoid the chaos and crowding that worsens there each summer.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicates. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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