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
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
The rugged terrain of steep hills — combined with the man’s extensive Army survival training — is complicating the search.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 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
Those plans were derailed after the war triggered a spike in jet fuel prices, upending Spirit's cost projections and complicating its exit from bankruptcy.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The area in question also provides a tricky topographical location, further complicating solutions.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Ian does his best to make the most of his time with his son, but the single father has a knack for complicating things.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
Further complicating matters, while the $100 million in non-education aid would be one-time assistance, legislators insisted extra funds for schools would continue year after year.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 6 May 2026
The rugged terrain of steep hills — combined with the man’s extensive Army survival training — is complicating the search.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 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
Those plans were derailed after the war triggered a spike in jet fuel prices, upending Spirit's cost projections and complicating its exit from bankruptcy.
—David Shepardson, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The area in question also provides a tricky topographical location, further complicating solutions.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
Ian does his best to make the most of his time with his son, but the single father has a knack for complicating things.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
Further complicating matters, while the $100 million in non-education aid would be one-time assistance, legislators insisted extra funds for schools would continue year after year.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
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These pressures are only intensifying as the AI boom moves from software into physical infrastructure, and demand for computing capacity grows exponentially.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Ken Griffin and Zohran Mamdani's latest feud is intensifying after the billionaire said NYC's mayor put him in harm's way for including his penthouse in a video last month to promote his newest tax initiative.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
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These spillover effects are deepening an arc of instability stretching from Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to Asia.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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While announcing Jacobson’s hiring, Stagwell said her responsibilities will include expanding ReachTV’s footprint and deepening its content partnerships.—
Sportico Staff,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 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
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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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Many Americans feel financially squeezed — over half say their finances are worsening, according to a recent Gallup poll, the highest since 2001.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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However, many of his former clients later sued him on allegations of fraud and several of them have criticized him for allegedly worsening the boxing climate.—
PEOPLE,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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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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
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My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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But online as an antidote only works if the sector stops confusing access with quality.—
Ian Gibson,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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