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
Less precise bombs could mean more civilian casualties, complicating the war and angering even Iranians who wanted a regime change.
—
Chris Tye, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Hunt, a Houston-area congressman and military veteran, entered the race later, complicating the anti-Paxton lane and reshaping the dynamics.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
As the 9/11 Commission determined, Clinton had authorized lethal action against bin Laden only if he couldn’t be captured, thus complicating the missions and leaving the CIA uncertain as to whether the agency was being directed to kidnap bin Laden or eliminate him.
—Tim Naftali, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Tariffs were already raising costs and complicating planning assumptions.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
The timing coincides with Ramadan, complicating efforts to sustain the reconstruction momentum launched just weeks ago.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
State regulators and the company have a history of permitting mistakes and violations, complicating safety oversight.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026
The Olympics include an extra complicating factor because the closing ceremony was scheduled immediately after the gold-medal game.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Chris Tye, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Hunt, a Houston-area congressman and military veteran, entered the race later, complicating the anti-Paxton lane and reshaping the dynamics.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
As the 9/11 Commission determined, Clinton had authorized lethal action against bin Laden only if he couldn’t be captured, thus complicating the missions and leaving the CIA uncertain as to whether the agency was being directed to kidnap bin Laden or eliminate him.
—Tim Naftali, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
But the novel ultimately retreats from these complicating questions.
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Tariffs were already raising costs and complicating planning assumptions.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
The timing coincides with Ramadan, complicating efforts to sustain the reconstruction momentum launched just weeks ago.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
State regulators and the company have a history of permitting mistakes and violations, complicating safety oversight.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026
The Olympics include an extra complicating factor because the closing ceremony was scheduled immediately after the gold-medal game.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
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And right here in Florida, intensifying disasters and disinformation combine to endanger our lives, damage our livelihoods, threaten our military communities and divide our citizens.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Korean studio’s upcoming slate suggests its awards ambitions and international goals are only intensifying.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Following talks in the Indian capital, the two countries’ prime ministers inked a deal deepening rare-earths cooperation, and pledged to double bilateral trade by the end of the decade.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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After the Ukraine grid attacks of the mid 2010s, several European states accelerated cybersecurity investment, improving network segmentation, expanding backup capacity and deepening information sharing with private infrastructure operators.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Perched between China and India, the country of 30 million people has been plagued for decades by political instability, crippling a largely agrarian economy and worsening unemployment – structural issues compounded by rampant corruption.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Over 115,000 Afghans and 3,000 Pakistanis have been displaced by the conflict, with the UN warning of worsening humanitarian crises.—
Munir Ahmed,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are embarrassing own goals that Republicans simply can’t afford.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Fairchild played the free-wheeling bon vivant Nora Tyler Bing on five episodes of the sitcom classic, unwittingly embarrassing Perry's Chandler Bing to the delight of his pals.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jeff Rosen, Santa Clara County district attorney, said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon that O’Connor would face at least 30 years in prison pending aggravating factors still to be considered by a judge on March 11.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Another said the product is effective at smoothing lines without aggravating sensitive skin.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But the notice sent last spring was so vague and confusing that few people used it to object.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
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The company’s messaging has been confusing and has at various points seemed to contradict its own previous statements, as well as information from the government.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Yet the same fisheries that drive economic value also generate high levels of bycatch, entangling marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks in their operations.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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