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
Forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches of snow in some areas, with gusty winds reducing visibility and complicating travel.
—
Sirena Bergman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
But there are already some variables complicating the timeline.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
In multiple cases, the victims’ vehicles were found far from where their bodies lay, complicating the investigation.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
The heat and humidity are complicating recovery efforts.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Autonomous driving in the US is governed by a patchwork of federal, state and local rules, complicating the industry’s efforts to expand.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Potentially complicating this further is Microsoft’s expanding partnership with Anthropic, with Claude now available in Microsoft 365 and Excel.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Meara asks, complicating the matter further by wondering this inquiry aloud while the two of them are chatting with Mike Douglas on his daytime show.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
Comcast has expressed interest in acquiring all or part of Warner, Semafor can confirm, complicating life for both David Zaslav and Paramount, which has lost its head start in the bidding.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Sirena Bergman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
But there are already some variables complicating the timeline.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
In multiple cases, the victims’ vehicles were found far from where their bodies lay, complicating the investigation.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
The heat and humidity are complicating recovery efforts.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Autonomous driving in the US is governed by a patchwork of federal, state and local rules, complicating the industry’s efforts to expand.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Potentially complicating this further is Microsoft’s expanding partnership with Anthropic, with Claude now available in Microsoft 365 and Excel.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
Meara asks, complicating the matter further by wondering this inquiry aloud while the two of them are chatting with Mike Douglas on his daytime show.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Oct. 2025
Comcast has expressed interest in acquiring all or part of Warner, Semafor can confirm, complicating life for both David Zaslav and Paramount, which has lost its head start in the bidding.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
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This move is part of an intensifying global competition for seabed resources, with nations like the United States also vying for control.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The state has also advanced in large-scale restoration through innovative mechanisms such as restoration concessions, while intensifying actions to combat deforestation and forest fires.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Midseason blows followed, as rookie Caiya Hanks and newcomer Julie Dufour suffered anterior cruciate ligament tears, only deepening the challenge.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
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With the climate crisis only deepening each year, throwing natural cycles and seasons into disarray, Japan is now bracing for future spikes in human-bear encounters each fall and spring.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But as the fearsome storm unfolded, perplexing science questions emerged, said Joshua Wadler, an associate scientist at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach who was aboard the flights on Kermit with Hazelton.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Tutu Atwell’s role is perplexing Every fan base has some trademark bits.—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Concerns around valuations in the artificial intelligence trade, along with worsening consumer sentiment, put a dent in equities last week.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
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In adults and in children, taking too much melatonin can interfere with the body’s circadian rhythm, potentially worsening sleep or having other effects.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Still, the former University of Miami standout did not want to be dealt, even publicly stating that just hours after the Dolphins’ embarrassing 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
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For French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, the heist spotlights embarrassing security failings at one of France’s most venerable institutions.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The model comes with three attachments, including a crevice tool that helps remove allergy-aggravating dust, pet hair, and debris.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't make any moves at the NFL trade deadline, aggravating their fanbase in the process.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Perplexity’s image features photographs of people with some truly nightmarish distortions on its wall, while the placement of its sink is confusing and distracting.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
25 Oct. 2025
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This was out of respect for me, and also to avoid confusing the children.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Linking quantum computers to create powerful, high-speed quantum networks involves entangling atoms through a fiber cable.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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German military drills last month in the northern port city of Hamburg demonstrated how like a spider, a large military drone shot a net at a smaller one in mid-flight, entangling its propellers and forcing it to the ground, where a robotic dog trotted over to seek possible explosives.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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