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 September's inflation report complicates things for Kevin Warsh 's Federal Reserve . — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 That complicates the operations of Ukraine’s drone missions, particularly interceptor drones and mid-range strike drones, according to multiple sources. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026 Oh suggested the addition of the second, documentarian couple, Ye-ji and Sang-woo, whose presence both complicates the labor plot and makes its stakes more visible. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 But Kazan has a different notion of this character, one that the director explores and complicates through extended flashbacks to Cathy’s childhood. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 The controversy complicates its legacy, but its influence on contemporary dining is undeniable. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Iran war complicates interest rate debate Earlier this year, the FOMC wrestled with lowering rates versus holding them steady despite higher prices. — Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026 This high salt content complicates conventional whey processing, while the combination of salt and a large amount of organic material also makes simply dumping the stuff a bad idea. — New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026 The artist complicates the photographs further by painting over them with ink and watercolor. — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates

Verb

At one point Facebook created MSI, or Meaningful Social Interactions, which favor shares over likes, a process that intensifies engagement.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
The camera captures smoke coming from the house as the fire slowly intensifies.

— CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

The dispute deepens a rift between the two countries whose armies fought together against the TPLF during the 2020-2022 war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Fear of default then leads to even more capital flight, which increases fears of default and the interest rate, and the vicious circle deepens.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of deepens

Verb

Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 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

First, substantial evidence indicates that the structure of our congressional elections exacerbates legislative underperformance.

— Scott Warren, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026
There’s a lot of misinformation that only exacerbates our culture urban-rural divide.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of exacerbates

Verb

The legal system dehumanizes her, the support group confuses her, and one of her friends painfully disappoints her.

— Carey Purcell, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
This confuses each Nyota but also those around them, who note that the Nyotas have rather quickly assumed new hairstyles but also that neither is behaving quite like herself.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of confuses

Verb

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that worsens over time.

— Jennifer Fields, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
French budget crisis worsens amid student protests France could be on the precipice of a financial crisis, as escalating student protests roiled an already shaky bond market.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026