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
Relevance
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
Malaysia’s maritime agency says the transfers happen beyond its territorial waters and radar coverage, complicating enforcement efforts, while critics argue the nation is facilitating rather than merely tolerating the trade.
—
Eileen Ng, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Because symptoms can take weeks to show up, additional cases could still emerge, complicating public health efforts to contact trace possible exposures and transmission chains.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
The energy shock is complicating hopes for a swift rate cut, with investors now expecting the Fed to keep its benchmark lending rate unchanged for the rest of the year — or even raise rates if inflation worsens.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
The Canucks, however, have had a habit of complicating the relationship of fans with various franchise legends.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Some patches require key systems to be taken offline, complicating matters.
—Hugh Son,samantha Subin, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Rescuers, including disaster officers and traffic police, evacuated victims and cleared the wreckage, though several were pinned inside the vehicles, complicating rescue efforts and disrupting traffic along the highway, Margono said.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Authorities in the West African island nation have denied the MV Hondius permission to dock at the port of Praia as a precautionary measure, complicating efforts to evacuate sick passengers and provide urgent medical care.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Geopolitical conflicts—most notably wars in Iran and Ukraine—are rampant, pushing up shipping costs, disrupting supply chains, and complicating the movement of materials into Europe.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
Eileen Ng, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Because symptoms can take weeks to show up, additional cases could still emerge, complicating public health efforts to contact trace possible exposures and transmission chains.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
The energy shock is complicating hopes for a swift rate cut, with investors now expecting the Fed to keep its benchmark lending rate unchanged for the rest of the year — or even raise rates if inflation worsens.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
The Canucks, however, have had a habit of complicating the relationship of fans with various franchise legends.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Some patches require key systems to be taken offline, complicating matters.
—Hugh Son,samantha Subin, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Rescuers, including disaster officers and traffic police, evacuated victims and cleared the wreckage, though several were pinned inside the vehicles, complicating rescue efforts and disrupting traffic along the highway, Margono said.
—ABC News, 6 May 2026
Authorities in the West African island nation have denied the MV Hondius permission to dock at the port of Praia as a precautionary measure, complicating efforts to evacuate sick passengers and provide urgent medical care.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026
Geopolitical conflicts—most notably wars in Iran and Ukraine—are rampant, pushing up shipping costs, disrupting supply chains, and complicating the movement of materials into Europe.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
-
Behind the scenes, though, a scramble has been intensifying to hold together a fragile coalition politically and tenuous competition financially.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
-
But i-Ready is facing mounting backlash, and the revolt is intensifying as parents question how much time children spend on screens at school.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Tensions around this trade are deepening – playing out against a backdrop in which Beijing seeks stability in its relationship with the US, but also holds close economic and diplomatic ties with Iran.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
While one-person shows are often built to showcase an actor’s shape-shifting skills, Lowe’s script, Meltzer’s direction and Rosenberg’s performance use the many supporting characters as a means of deepening Moses’ story.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 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
-
Local officials are hopeful the money can help prevent future upticks in land movement and, ideally, formalize a new pathway for additional federal funding to address the city’s ongoing hazards and worsening budget crisis.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Two other sloths, Habanero and Bandit, also died because of their condition worsening after being rescued by the zoo.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The Game 4 defeat – the no-silver-lining, embarrassing 6-1 loss – left a particularly rancid taste in everyone’s mouth.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The House Democratic campaign arm’s endorsements in two competitive primaries are aggravating some in the party who see favoritism at work.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
-
Prosecutors cited Hunter’s past homicide convictions as aggravating factors to persuade the jury to recommend his execution.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Elegoo Jupiter 2 3D printer shows flashes of excellence with its massive build volume and striking print quality, but uneven automation, confusing UI menus, and a still-maturing workflow limit its appeal.—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2026
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Amanda Peet has had people confusing her for Lake Bell at restaurants, airports, red carpets and everywhere in between.—
Laura Lane,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
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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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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
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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