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 For Rick Tankersley, the former vice chancellor for research who chaired the commission, that history complicates treating R1 as a signature accomplishment of Gaber’s tenure. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026 Its long history of repairs, however, complicates archaeological dating, Storchan said. — Michele Chabin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026 Retired University of Chicago economist Sam Peltzman also complicates the picture. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 For Crujeiras, that history complicates the familiar narrative of Miami’s recovery. — Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026 Hyun-tae has long been convinced that romance only complicates life. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 Engineers have tried to contain them in porous supports or seal them in capsules, but these fixes usually limit the salt to under 70% of the material, and encapsulation complicates manufacturing. — New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026 This is exactly what complicates the production of alloys with predictable mechanical properties. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates

Verb

The dispute unfolds as Russia intensifies attacks across Ukraine and as Kyiv presses Western allies for more interceptors, while new diplomatic efforts seek to end the war.

— Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
If the war with Iran intensifies again, foreign executives will be reluctant to even visit Saudi Arabia, let alone invest in it.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images China's benchmark CSI 300 index on Thursday entered bear-market territory, falling 20% from its June peak, as a prolonged sell-off in its equities deepens.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
As Carson and Rapp’s search for Henry deepens, Yaga cuts a jagged (though, at this point, well-trod by shows like Hulu’s Furious or even Netflix’s East of Eden) path through themes of wealth, male entitlement, female rage and the purpose of myth.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 20 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

Although researchers and experts know that hormonal changes can influence how the nervous system processes pain and may heighten pain sensitivity, researchers have yet to establish whether declining estrogen directly worsens fibromyalgia.

— Cheyenne Buckingham, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026
French bond turmoil worsens French social and political volatility is compounded by an emerging fiscal crisis, which on Thursday pushed its benchmark government borrowing cost to a fresh 24-year high.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026