1
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
2
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
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Infants and children under the age of 5, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk for complications from measles exposure.
—
Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
A race against time continues As Nancy Guthrie’s health complications make every passing day more dire, investigators are throwing their full weight behind locating her.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Even when someone appears to fully recover from measles, the virus can cause serious complications years after infection.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Garland has been hurt for most of this season, playing in just 26 games because of complications from a lingering toe injury that required surgery last offseason.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complication
Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
A race against time continues As Nancy Guthrie’s health complications make every passing day more dire, investigators are throwing their full weight behind locating her.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Even when someone appears to fully recover from measles, the virus can cause serious complications years after infection.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
Garland has been hurt for most of this season, playing in just 26 games because of complications from a lingering toe injury that required surgery last offseason.
—Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complication
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complication
Noun
-
Symptoms include loss of balance, difficulty walking or swallowing, slurred speech and problems with eye movements, according to the National Institutes of Health.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In terms of economics and investments, the Saudis are having difficulties in attracting foreign investment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After whooping cough vaccinations declined in Dallas County over the last year, the preventable disease spiked to the highest numbers of infections officials have seen in over a decade, Huang said.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Harm reduction can encompass a range of practices, including handing out free needles to slow the spread of disease, and many local leaders credit some of those efforts with recent drops in fatal overdoses.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sixth-generation farmer Cannon Michael in California’s Central Valley discussed the complexity of farming, from fluctuating prices and pest pressures to the increasing impacts of climate change.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Then there are other people who want more complexity to the conversation.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Peterson has missed 11 of KU’s 24 games because of hamstring tightness, cramping, a quad ailment and illness issues.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The building had many ailments, and the landlord seemed intent on doing as little as possible about them.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Among those on the field at Stanford University was quarterback Drake Maye, who was limited all of last week with a shoulder injury and missed Friday's session with an illness.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
But availability remains a persistent question for Porzingis, who has been limited to 17 games this season, due in part to the chronic autonomic nervous system illness POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors say the defendant failed to take into account his girlfriend’s inexperience in mountain climbing as well as the harsh winter conditions.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The crews have not yet been able to remove the victims from the mountain because of the extreme conditions, the sheriff said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For all its ills, social media can also be an entry point for anyone interested in Chicago history and the city’s varied eccentricities.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The conductor added that opera not only reveals societal ills but can model what an ideal society can look like.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Jazbi suffers from a severe blood disorder that requires medication, according to the committee.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Benjamin has an intellectual disability caused by a rare genetic disorder called Coffin-Sirus Syndrome, which can come with medical complications such as autism.—
Alyssa Ramos,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complication. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
