COMPLICATION Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

complication

noun

ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən

Definition of complication

as in difficulty

something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult the food allergies of the guests were just another complication for the couple trying to plan their wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in disease

an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning complications set in after the surgery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in complexity

the state or quality of having many interrelated parts or aspects a problem of such irreducible complication as to defy any easy solution

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of complication Other complications can include stroke, organ damage, and increased risk of infection. — Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 In July, DefenseScoop reported that early flight-test complications contributed to a production bottleneck, while contractors worked to address manufacturing issues. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 Indeed, the ever-shifting balance between clarity and complication is central to the novel. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Babies born with listeriosis may have severe health complications. — Eva Flowe october 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complication

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complication

Noun

Meeting its director can reveal the uncertainty, the practical difficulties, and the necessary compromises.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
This is still largely lost due to damage to refineries and the difficulty of exporting products by ship.

— Mike Sheen, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of difficulty

Noun

The first is to dramatically accelerate the pace of basic science, and the second is to accelerate curing disease and extending health span.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
DeVeydt added that costs for inpatient services and pharmacy, particularly costly specialty pharmacy drugs for cancer and rare diseases, remain elevated.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

The complexity of the facade work will require detailed planning and coordination, and compliance with historic preservation requirements, the hotel says.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Due to the complexity of the production, the crows were digitally designed, while Prue and Mac were practical handmade puppets.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of complexity

Noun

But by the first week of September, the Dodgers could no longer argue that his poor performance wasn’t necessarily connected to his ailments.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
ChatGPT is not your doctor, although most people are already using it to find out more information about their ailments, hypothetical or otherwise.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ailment

Noun

To be sure, practicing a zest for life can be harder for those who have physical illness and pain and those who engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
The Heat also didn’t have Pelle Larsson (illness) and Dru Smith (right calf strain) on Friday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of illness

Noun

The Singapore Shipping Association also played down the prospect of a broad withdrawal of commercial shipping from the region, suggesting operators would instead adapt to changing trade conditions.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
The team also evaluated methods for attaching sensors to storage casks, with the aim of developing installations capable of remaining in place for years under high-temperature and high-radiation conditions.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of condition

Noun

Usher syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes vision loss, hearing loss and balance issues, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
Blair revealed in 2018 that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that attacks healthy cells in the central nervous system, according to the National Institutes of Health.

— Meriam Bouarrouj, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of disorder

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complicating

complication

complications

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Style

“Complication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complication. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of complication

noun

Example Sentences

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