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

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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 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 That idea also complicates the film’s relationship with religion. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 That loyalty complicates the ambitions of Peronists promising a fresh start — chief among them Axel Kicillof, the left-wing governor of Buenos Aires province, home to more than a third of Argentines. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Competition complicates proposal The legislation faces a difficult path through Congress. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026 The possibility of subsequent floods also complicates reconstruction efforts, by raising the costs of disaster resilience, financing and insurance for new infrastructure in the widening danger zone. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 This complicates things for Teagan, who has begun to kindle something with Cam. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates

Verb

The disclosure intensifies criticism of officials who dismissed concerns about sailors’ conditions as the administration offers no clear timeline for ending the war.

— Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

Sigurd’s departure only deepens this cynicism, which Livia clings to for 27 years — until the pair reconnect on the phone for a truly excruciating conversation.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
What’s more, its growth runway could widen materially as the Huntsville, Alabama, company deepens its relationships with disruptive defense innovator Anduril Industries and space-launch leader SpaceX .

— Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 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

In the war-and-plague story of Volume II, the wartime siege of Constantinople exacerbates the extreme heat and causes the ruin of the city as well as the eventual spread of the epidemic from the battlefields to the wider world.

— Eileen Hunt, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
Advocates say the practice of forcing people to sell homes exacerbates long-standing income disparities in the state.

— Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of exacerbates

Verb

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
Retreat to the previous paragraph if the question confuses you.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of confuses

Verb

Ask yourself what scenario is going to provide your brother with the best care, especially as his condition worsens and his needs change.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
The musician, 60, sat down with Tamron Hall for a candid conversation about living with Parkinson’s disease, which affects the nervous system, can affect movement and often worsens over time.

— Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of worsens

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“Complicates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicates. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of complicates

verb

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