COMPLICATES Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

complicates

verb

present tense third-person singular of complicate

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

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

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 complicates Fred’s body is taken over by the Old One Illyria, which complicates the grief, both for the viewer and for Wesley. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 Guerra said the reversal nevertheless complicates a narrative Bass had been able to make about declines in homelessness during her tenure. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 The death sentence complicates any extradition under Russian law, but a decision not to hand over a former close ally to face justice would be far more political than legal, experts say. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 Mother Nature complicates the equation further because the same vineyard can yield different amounts of grapes each year. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026 Booking a pet-friendly hotel sounds simple until an unexpected fee or restriction complicates the stay. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Gere acknowledged that his family name inevitably complicates perceptions of his success. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 This unfortunate incident significantly complicates FC Barcelona's squad planning. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The report complicates the outlook for the Federal Reserve, where policymakers are divided over the path for interest rates. — Yun Li,sean Conlon,hugh Leask, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates

Verb

Doing so helps prevent soggy bottoms and intensifies the domed top, made possible by baking in alternating cups.

— Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2026
This move intensifies existing rivalries, notably with the Boston Celtics following the Jaylen Brown trade.

— Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

Beavers tied it in the sixth off Fernando Cruz with an opposite-field drive to left — just to the right of where the wall out there deepens.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Leaders should ask whether a new location grows the customer base, deepens existing relationships, or increases purchase frequency or spending enough to offset channel substitution.

— Ayşe Çetinel, Harvard Business Review, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepens

Verb

Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of embarrasses

Verb

But when Dusty takes a tumble and aggravates his old wrist injury, that puts him out of the running.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.

— Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of aggravates

Verb

Economic hardship for working families and young people exacerbates their frustration and disenfranchisement, while a tepid Democratic leadership response adds to anti-establishment sentiment.

— Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
The fact that the United States often has bases in or near these countries exacerbates the dynamic.

— Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of exacerbates

Verb

Any adversary who confuses media noise with American weakness will discover the truth the hard way.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026

Definition of confuses

Verb

Those with lupus need to avoid the sun, while some with psoriasis get relief from it; storms can trigger migraines and joint pain; hot weather worsens postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

— Lorraine Boissoneault, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026
When the outlook for a company’s fundamentals worsens, investors often respond by trading the stock down.

— Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026