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
Relevance
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
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
Scheduled for retirement in 2026, the ship’s age complicates the analysis of events.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
That complicates things for the Blue Jays who could either be riding off into the sunset happy as can be or mad at the world for losing Game 6 and Game 7.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Here's how DaCosta's film updates and complicates its already complex, legendary central figure.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Multiple agencies, few agency markings on cars Involvement of other federal agencies in immigration activities further complicates the situation, said Reeves, the former ICE employee.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
The transaction, however, complicates Intel's accounting practices for its income, the company suggested in a press release.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Robbie complicates his situation that much more after taking home Sam (Ben Doherty), a boy whose father is killed by Robbie's crew during a botched robbery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
But then the slider complicates things.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Gun proliferation complicates the problem by making political violence much easier to carry out.
—Gregory P. Magarian, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
That complicates things for the Blue Jays who could either be riding off into the sunset happy as can be or mad at the world for losing Game 6 and Game 7.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Here's how DaCosta's film updates and complicates its already complex, legendary central figure.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Multiple agencies, few agency markings on cars Involvement of other federal agencies in immigration activities further complicates the situation, said Reeves, the former ICE employee.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
The transaction, however, complicates Intel's accounting practices for its income, the company suggested in a press release.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Robbie complicates his situation that much more after taking home Sam (Ben Doherty), a boy whose father is killed by Robbie's crew during a botched robbery.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025
But then the slider complicates things.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Gun proliferation complicates the problem by making political violence much easier to carry out.
—Gregory P. Magarian, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates
Verb
-
Unfortunately for the squeamish 12-year-old me, the lifelike fluidity intensifies the story’s body-horror elements.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The danger intensifies when storm surge coincides with high tide, rapidly elevating water levels and increasing the risk of widespread flooding.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The film follows poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as their love deepens, and the couple finds newfound appreciation for the preciousness of life after a terminal illness diagnosis.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
-
So the Barbra connection deepens and deepens.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Money could be at the heart of the power struggle when Mars aggravates Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The minuscule particles can lead to breathing problems like bronchitis and cause inflammation that aggravates diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This only exacerbates that need.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
12 Oct. 2025
-
His loving, pragmatic wife, Mi-ri (Son Ye-jin), gamely downsizes their middle-class life to fit their new reality — but her resoluteness only exacerbates his despair.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Longhorns’ roster build confuses me.—
The Athletic College Basketball Staff,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play.—
Laia Garcia-Furtado,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Just like a traditional hangover, ignoring the need to rest only worsens an introvert hangover.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Chronic brain inflammation contributes to neuronal death and worsens amyloid and tau pathology.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Initially dismissed as an accident, Charles, Oliver and Mabel dive headfirst into the investigation, uncovering a sprawling conspiracy that stretches beyond the building’s walls and entangles New York’s old mob families with its newest billionaires.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Recognize how your energy entangles with your team, and create field conditions for inevitable success.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The collaboration expands on BMW and Solid Power’s work since 2022, now strengthened by Samsung SDI’s experience in large-scale cell manufacturing and materials engineering.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the horizontal stroke expands dramatically as AI enables professionals to contribute meaningfully beyond their core expertise.—
François Candelon,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complicates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicates. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share