1
as in intensifying
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 deepening
to make more severe
asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complicating
Analysts now warn that Patel's on-air summaries may force prosecutors to respond in court, potentially complicating an already fast-moving and closely watched prosecution.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Right guard Tyler Steen was driven back into Hurts during the offense’s second drive, complicating a third-and-10 throw that fell incomplete.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
According to the Fever, Clark also suffered a left ankle bone bruise during her recovery process, complicating her return.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Increasing barriers and complicating transactions will not help.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
When performance declines, there are so many complicating factors to consider to arrive at the root issue.
—Melinda Fouts, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Both California and Delaware attorneys general are investigating the restructuring, with concerns about recent suicides linked to ChatGPT interactions complicating approval.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The arrests also raised alarm in Seoul, further complicating tense US-South Korea relations over investments agreed to in their trade deal, the Financial Times reported.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Further complicating the process is the arrival of cheetahs imported from South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Right guard Tyler Steen was driven back into Hurts during the offense’s second drive, complicating a third-and-10 throw that fell incomplete.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
According to the Fever, Clark also suffered a left ankle bone bruise during her recovery process, complicating her return.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Increasing barriers and complicating transactions will not help.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Sep. 2025
When performance declines, there are so many complicating factors to consider to arrive at the root issue.
—Melinda Fouts, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Both California and Delaware attorneys general are investigating the restructuring, with concerns about recent suicides linked to ChatGPT interactions complicating approval.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The arrests also raised alarm in Seoul, further complicating tense US-South Korea relations over investments agreed to in their trade deal, the Financial Times reported.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Further complicating the process is the arrival of cheetahs imported from South Africa and Namibia to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.
—Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
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Like all good bistros, this one serves a roast chicken as burnished as a penny, uncharacteristically earthy and sweet thanks to the funky, flavor-intensifying power of koji.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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Apple didn’t explain its reasoning behind the decision, but the market for satellite-to-phone service is intensifying.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As well as job displacement, AI risks deepening wealth inequality—concentrating the gains among those who own or are able to leverage its abilities, while throwing the remainder into the same basket of the formerly employable unemployed.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Instead, officials reinforce colonial subordination while deepening the vulnerability of immigrant communities.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The criminal justice system In early April, a man failed to show up for his pretrial conference in Canyon County, perplexing his lawyer.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Fortunately, just as the worsening problem feels insurmountable, solutions are becoming feasible.—
Dan Riskin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Wildfire worries With the worsening drought comes worries over wildfires.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The mother, being a mother, finds fault and has embarrassing politics.—
Nathaniel Moore
September 10,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
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On top of that already embarrassing history, Ravens longtime head coach John Harbaugh has made some unfortunate NFL history of his own.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Cao faces one count of murder with eight allegations of aggravating factors, including his use of a knife, prosecutors said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Since its creation in 2007, only about 2% of applicants had successfully received forgiveness before the pandemic, largely due to confusing eligibility rules and administrative mismanagement.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Beneficiaries would have to verify their own identities by using an often-confusing web portal or by traveling to a field office to do it in person.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The new Netflix India original Saare Jahan Se Accha is the fictional story of the entangling worlds of various spies from India, Pakistan, Russia and America.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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