complicating

Definition of complicatingnext
present participle of complicate

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 complicating The attacks are complicating US peace talks with Iran, with Tehran insisting that any ceasefire with Washington must include Israel’s operations in Lebanon. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 Health officials say the outbreak likely circulated undetected for weeks before it was identified, complicating efforts to trace contacts and isolate infected individuals. Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026 Anger over burial rules, rebel violence and border closures are complicating the response. Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026 Challenges like the high number of people displaced by armed conflict in the region and food insecurity are complicating efforts to stop the spread of the virus, Tedros said. Mark Banchereau, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026 But as is often the case in pro sports, arbitration, the private dispute resolution method, is a complicating factor. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026 State media also reported that blueprints provided by the mine did not match the site’s actual layout, complicating rescue operations, the outlet added. Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026 In several cases, non-enhanced athletes handily won their events, complicating the sales pitch. Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026 Ongoing battles between armed groups and national armies are complicating efforts to contain the disease. Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
  • The outrage has reverberated across the country ahead of Wednesday's annual Ni Una Menos protest in downtown Buenos Aires, amplifying demands for government action and intensifying criticism of President Javier Milei.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 June 2026
  • The outrage has reverberated across the country ahead of Wednesday’s annual Ni Una Menos protest in downtown Buenos Aires, amplifying demands for government action and intensifying criticism of President Javier Milei.
    Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s despite growing appeal as the oldest baby boomers are turning 80 this year and the United States faces a deepening shortage of home care aides, driven by low wages, high turnover and demanding workloads.
    Matt O’Brien, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
  • Housing costs have soared, deepening affordability worries and homelessness.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 31 May 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
  • The attack in al-Murrah, near contested Barah, underscores RSF’s tightening hold over resource-rich Darfur and Kordofan and the worsening humanitarian crisis engulfing civilians.
    Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
  • New pipelines and fossil fuel plants generate millions of dollars for fossil fuel companies and utilities, while locking young people into decades more of pollution and worsening climate change.
    Sydney Collins, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Then to Sydney Harbour, the very scene of that embarrassing capsize exactly a year earlier, and the Americans won the event outright for a first win since October 2023.
    Andrew Rice, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • Lutnick's voluntary closed-door interview comes amid a monthslong procession of powerful people summoned before the committee, many of whom have been subjected to embarrassing revelations in the more than 3 million pages of records known as the Epstein files.
    Graham Kates, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • That is aggravating Americas' frustrations with the president's economic performance, and likely will weigh on his fellow Republicans' performance in November's midterm elections.
    Matt Peterson, CNBC, 30 May 2026
  • Makar hasn’t played since aggravating an apparent upper-body injury in Game 5 of Colorado’s second-round series against the Minnesota Wild.
    Jesse Granger, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Stop confusing busy with productive Founders in the struggle zone are busy.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • Schoen’s contract extension is confusing at best.
    Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • The rest — bottles, cups, ties, get washed into our oceans, entangling sea birds and when they get pulverized into microplastics, they’re eaten by sea turtles who often die.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 18 May 2026
  • Impulsive action bypasses deliberation, ignores consequences and risks entangling our nation in conflicts without an exit strategy.
    Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 7 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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