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
Some assistance comes from sportsbooks and casinos themselves, though this complicates certain priorities.
—
Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Whether that expertise strengthens or complicates monetary policy will depend less on his market savvy than on his ability to preserve the Fed’s institutional discipline and independence at a time of heightened scrutiny.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Ben-Adir and Morgan bring a raw and layered energy to the dynamic between their characters, and while the relationship between them thaws and complicates along a very predictable trajectory, progressive brain afflictions don’t exactly lend themselves to novelty or surprises.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
What complicates this week is that both games are on the road against upper-tier Mountain West opponents.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
That detail alone complicates the narrative.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Fire Chief Stephen Gollan said at the meeting that the existing median complicates traffic flow and access during emergencies on Las Olas.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
The driver is not capable of answering questions, which complicates the process of the investigation, Estelle said.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The excavation of Paul Robeson complicates Robinson and Rickey and destroys, almost completely, the easy, uncomplicated tale of interracial heroism Americans have long preferred.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Whether that expertise strengthens or complicates monetary policy will depend less on his market savvy than on his ability to preserve the Fed’s institutional discipline and independence at a time of heightened scrutiny.
—Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Ben-Adir and Morgan bring a raw and layered energy to the dynamic between their characters, and while the relationship between them thaws and complicates along a very predictable trajectory, progressive brain afflictions don’t exactly lend themselves to novelty or surprises.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2026
What complicates this week is that both games are on the road against upper-tier Mountain West opponents.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
That detail alone complicates the narrative.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Fire Chief Stephen Gollan said at the meeting that the existing median complicates traffic flow and access during emergencies on Las Olas.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
The driver is not capable of answering questions, which complicates the process of the investigation, Estelle said.
—Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026
The excavation of Paul Robeson complicates Robinson and Rickey and destroys, almost completely, the easy, uncomplicated tale of interracial heroism Americans have long preferred.
—Literary Hub, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates
Verb
-
March’s lunar eclipse in Virgo — activating your fifth house of love and passion — intensifies attraction, desire and romantic chemistry, pushing you to take a risk or end a dynamic that no longer brings you joy.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Microsoft has introduced the Maia 200, its second-generation in-house AI chip, as competition intensifies around the cost of running large models.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Activist groups report over 6,200 deaths, while Iran’s currency continues plummeting to historic lows as the economic crisis deepens.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Tuning out may feel easier — but silence only deepens the divide.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
-
There, the father of the bride gets too drunk and embarrasses himself.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In the extreme off-chance that Darnold doesn’t play or aggravates the injury, the Seahawks would call upon Drew Lock, who has just three regular season passing attempts on the year.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Nathan tells him to get in the water in order to fix the hooks and ropes, but Max stands on the Jet Ski instead, which aggravates the bosun.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 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
-
Doctors live in constant fear of missing a critical detail buried on page 400 of a messy digital file, which further exacerbates burnout.—
Eve Cunningham,
Forbes.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
And freezing or cutting taxes only exacerbates the situation.—
Austin Sarat,
Washington Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Where the Roma obscured the line between a classic grand tourer and a sports car with supercar tendencies, the Amalfi confuses things further.—
Jonny Lieberman,
Robb Report,
17 Jan. 2026
-
So everyone confuses literal with figurative; literally, who cares?—
Hillary Busis,
Vanity Fair,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That kind of improvement could help avoid a worst-case scenario the Fed has been desperate to avoid, one where expectations for high inflation trigger a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Both Lago and Iglesias describe the move as taking control of the city’s future, protecting residents from the possibility of rising garbage and disposal fees as the county’s waste crisis worsens.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicates. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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