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 amount also varies over time, further complicating the estimates.
—
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
But that also added another, complicating layer to the pseudo-friendship the two had off screen.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Analysts say the measures reflect political pressure from small-scale miners, who have staged protests to demand looser regulations, complicating efforts to tighten enforcement.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
However, some operations were temporarily halted due to rain, complicating efforts to track the wolf.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Israel’s belligerence is another complicating factor.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The layout of these facilities is also cramped, complicating maintenance work.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Grandma sneakers have that kind of silent intelligence that solves a lot of fashion issues without complicating anything.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2026
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
But that also added another, complicating layer to the pseudo-friendship the two had off screen.
—Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Analysts say the measures reflect political pressure from small-scale miners, who have staged protests to demand looser regulations, complicating efforts to tighten enforcement.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
However, some operations were temporarily halted due to rain, complicating efforts to track the wolf.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Israel’s belligerence is another complicating factor.
—Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The autopsy attributed Patton’s cause of death to acute bacterial bronchopneumonia complicating an influenza A infection, with methadone use as a contributing factor.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The layout of these facilities is also cramped, complicating maintenance work.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Apr. 2026
Grandma sneakers have that kind of silent intelligence that solves a lot of fashion issues without complicating anything.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
-
Israeli officials and military leaders have recently sounded the alarm over intensifying violence and lawlessness by extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank, where arsons and deadly attacks have continued unabated.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The company has faced intensifying competition from TikTok and continues to battle longtime rivals in social media including Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though last week's ceasefire appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities and deepening the region-wide war's economic fallout.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
At Sunset+Vine, which was founded 30 years ago, East will focus on scaling the company’s international presence, deepening strategic partnerships with rights holders and integrating live, original and digital-native content.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 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 broader economic mood has trended lower since early 2025, and consumer sentiment fell in April to its lowest reading on record in the University of Michigan’s long-running survey, with many consumers blaming the Iran conflict for worsening economic conditions.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Interest rate cuts also risk worsening inflation.—
Damian J. Troise,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This risks embarrassing them if it is damaged and there is nothing that can be done about it.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
And when that happens, Jamahl Mosley — a good coach and an even better man — will be the fall guy for a team that is embarrassing itself on a national scale and getting exposed in the league standings.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
But Neptune also blurs lines, which is why its influence can feel mysterious or even confusing at times.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That’s not all that’s confusing across the first season.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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 17 Apr. 2026.
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