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 Jordan Smith argued that Costco’s plan to change into a business center complicates the city’s goals for midtown, which is seeing hundreds of new apartments built in the area. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026 This complicates enemy targeting because intelligence gathered at one moment may become outdated once a launcher moves. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026 Heat complicates celebrations Forest fires are raging in the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris and in areas of southern France, as the country suffers through its third heat wave this year. — Eva Van Dam, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 Breastfeeding, which can cause prolactin and oxytocin levels to soar, also complicates the issue. — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 13 July 2026 That complicates every task on the floor for the party, from confirmations to legislation. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 13 July 2026 The very real threat of retaliation further complicates this already difficult process. — Linda B. Rosenthal, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026 His unique contract, featuring a high salary, an opt-out clause, and a no-trade clause, complicates any potential move. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Strict government oversight complicates OpenAI's and Anthropic's attempts to go public. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates

Verb

Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.

— Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026

Definition of intensifies

Verb

That one of the country’s most dynamic cities sits minutes away only deepens the appeal.

— Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Families and physicians warn that uprooting residents with Alzheimer’s can trigger dangerous decline, while a severe shortage of specialized beds in the South Bay deepens a looming public health crisis.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 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

Trump’s rejection of the bipartisan housing legislation exacerbates tensions with his own party in a midterm election year and cuts short their efforts to address a key voter concern about rising costs.

— Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Detainees had little access to recreational activities and time outside, which mental health experts say exacerbates their despair.

— Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026

Definition of exacerbates

Verb

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
But nobody confuses Harvard Extension School classes with the real thing.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 23 June 2026