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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complicating
Hundreds of thousands of Cuban Americans are pursuing compensation for homes, businesses and land confiscated by Castro’s government, complicating potential negotiations.
—
Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
That could play out again with Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills, though one complicating factor with the Florida Republican is his ethics investigation isn’t as far along.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
Further complicating the picture, different Iranian leaders are sending contradictory messages.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Sounds like a complicating factor.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
The ruling upheld the new detention policy, complicating the lawsuit and prompting the government to seek dismissal.
—Ben Wheeler
april 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
But that also added another, complicating layer to the pseudo-friendship the two had off screen.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Israel’s belligerence is another complicating factor.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
That could play out again with Cherfilus-McCormick and Mills, though one complicating factor with the Florida Republican is his ethics investigation isn’t as far along.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2026
Further complicating the picture, different Iranian leaders are sending contradictory messages.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026
Sounds like a complicating factor.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
The ruling upheld the new detention policy, complicating the lawsuit and prompting the government to seek dismissal.
—Ben Wheeler
april 16, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
But that also added another, complicating layer to the pseudo-friendship the two had off screen.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Israel’s belligerence is another complicating factor.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
-
Florida has been grappling with intensifying natural disasters, soaring insurance premiums, and rising condo HOA fees, which have prompted some homeowners to leave, according to Redfin.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The investigation into the shooting death of Bronx grandfather Edgar Spence is intensifying, with community advocates now offering a $5,000 reward in the case.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deal is Ascentium’s most recent in more than a dozen acquisitions, plugging a gap in the company’s mainland China coverage while deepening its footprint in hot Southeast Asian growth markets.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Ashley’s fear of abandonment has developed throughout the season; Austin’s articulation only puts a fine point on it, instead of deepening their relationship.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That none of this has ever been clear to Gisèle is perplexing even to her.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
-
While initially perplexing to the Messers and other anglers, some now believe this was part of Phillips’ long con.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Oil revenue is the linchpin of Russia’s economy, allowing Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The West Texas project recently received the largest air pollution permit ever granted in the US, while Musk’s Memphis project has faced multiple lawsuits arguing the gas turbines are worsening air quality in historically Black communities.—
Mark Chediak,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
And when that happens, Jamahl Mosley — a good coach and an even better man — will be the fall guy for a team that is embarrassing itself on a national scale and getting exposed in the league standings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
There might be more than one bench spot to be won on the opening-day roster, as infielder Sung-Mun Song has not swung a bat since aggravating a right oblique strain on Sunday.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But Neptune also blurs lines, which is why its influence can feel mysterious or even confusing at times.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not all that’s confusing across the first season.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The causes were entangling secret alliances, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the ensuing diplomatic brinksmanship.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Last year’s dead leaves and branches, still not cleared away, lay on the ground, entangling our feet.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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