Synonyms of complication

complication

noun

ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 

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

• difficulty
• complexity
• headache
• intricacy
• convolution
• complicacy
• matter
• ramification
• trouble
• fly in the ointment
• side effect
• annoyance
• subtlety
• aftereffect
• inconvenience
• technicality
• bitch
• bother

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

• disease
• ailment
• illness
• condition
• ill
• disorder
• fever
• sickness
• bug
• infection
• attack
• malady
• trouble
• infirmity
• complaint
• ail
• distemper
• plague
• affection
• distemperature
• contagion
• contagious disease
• unsoundness
• lameness
• debility
• bout
• feebleness
• epidemic
• weakness
• matter
• spell
• malaise
• unhealthiness
• sickliness
• decrepitude
• contagium
• pestilence
• unwellness
• fit
• pip
• frailness
• pest

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• health
• wellness
• robustness
• soundness
• fitness
• wholeness
• wholesomeness
• shape
• heartiness
• healthiness
• fettle

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

• complexity
• complexness
• sophistication
• involution
• elaborateness
• complicatedness
• intricacy
• heterogeneity
• knottiness
• complicacy
• intricateness
• multifariousness
• diversity
• inexplicability
• incomprehensibility
• impenetrability
• heterogeneousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simplicity
• simplification
• uniformity
• plainness
• simpleness
• homogeneity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of complication

For African investors and technology founders, the hope will be that OPay’s setback proves an isolated complication rather than another obstacle to attracting international public-market capital. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Roughly 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles die from respiratory and neurological complications, according to the CDC. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 5 Nov. 2026

One of the hikers was transported to the hospital in critical condition and died a few weeks later due to complications from the injuries. — Ahmad Mukhtar, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Regular omega-3 intake can also ease symptoms and lower complications from these conditions. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2026