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
The Persian Gulf conflict threatens to reignite inflation while slowing growth, further complicating the Fed’s work.
—
Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
When the hiker set out, temperatures were around 66°F, but by the time crews reached him, conditions had plummeted to 26°F with snow falling and a light layer blanketing the ground, complicating efforts for both the hiker and the rescuers.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
The conflict is battering the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices; threatening food shortages in poor countries; destabilizing fragile states; and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
But the figures’ release has faced some delays and its data gets overwritten with every new publication, complicating the work of people who need access to it.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But the figures’ release has faced some delays and its data gets overwritten with every new publication, complicating the work of people who need access to it.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
But the war in Iran is complicating that calculus, as inflation worries persist and leave policymakers to balance competing risks.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
This week, Vogue spoke to Madden about moving from memoir to fiction, shadowing projectionists and gas station attendants to get a feel for her characters’ worlds, creating a mood board for her writing projects, and complicating our cultural understanding of abuse.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2026
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
When the hiker set out, temperatures were around 66°F, but by the time crews reached him, conditions had plummeted to 26°F with snow falling and a light layer blanketing the ground, complicating efforts for both the hiker and the rescuers.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
The conflict is battering the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices; threatening food shortages in poor countries; destabilizing fragile states; and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
But the figures’ release has faced some delays and its data gets overwritten with every new publication, complicating the work of people who need access to it.
—Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
But the figures’ release has faced some delays and its data gets overwritten with every new publication, complicating the work of people who need access to it.
—Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
But the war in Iran is complicating that calculus, as inflation worries persist and leave policymakers to balance competing risks.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
This week, Vogue spoke to Madden about moving from memoir to fiction, shadowing projectionists and gas station attendants to get a feel for her characters’ worlds, creating a mood board for her writing projects, and complicating our cultural understanding of abuse.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
-
The Israeli military killed Iran’s intelligence minister, the latest senior Iranian figure to be assassinated in Israel’s intensifying campaign to destabilize the Islamic Republic.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Competition in live sports is intensifying, however.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The impact of the war in the Middle East is deepening in economies far beyond the region as energy prices spike, forcing experts to reassess the risk of a global recession.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Díaz-Canel acknowledged last week that his government is in talks with Washington, a rare public admission that came as Cuba faces deepening economic turmoil and energy shortages.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
17 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
-
But lower rates risk worsening inflation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The worsening situation also has sparked small protests.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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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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
-
Rory McIlroy withdrew from last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational before the third round after aggravating his back during a pre-round workout.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Since the Affordable Care Act subsidies expired at the end of 2025, Americans have undoubtedly been encountering a great deal of confusing information surrounding health care costs and insurance plans.—
Jamie Hartmann-Boyce,
The Conversation,
19 Mar. 2026
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There was the shutdown in the fall, staff layoffs, confusing guidance for grant reviewers, and delays getting out the notices for funding opportunities.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
17 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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