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

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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 Further complications ensue as Wyatt and Kai’s flirtation escalates in ways that are supposed to make viewers feel uncomfortable, but not grossed out. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026 In both Hazelwood’s book and Scanlon’s film (adapted by Sarah Rothschild), what seems like the sort of BFF-busting complication audiences long ago grew tired of is turned on its head. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026 West had coronary artery disease and died due to a combination of the pre-existing illness and post-operative complications a day after having cosmetic surgery. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026 His family later said his death was due to an enlarged heart coupled with aortic valve complications. — Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complication

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complication

Noun

But hostile rhetoric on both sides underscored the difficulty of any diplomatic efforts.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
In Connections, each category has a different difficulty level.

— New York Times Games, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of difficulty

Noun

Scientists see a troubling trend but are still investigating how the disease develops.

— Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
The report said there was no evidence of a fatal injury or organic disease, though investigators could not determine how Wells suffered the bruise.

— Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of disease

Noun

Europe operates three other high-performance research reactors with similar core complexities.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Look, for example, at how even today’s AI has repeatedly solved mathematical problems within weeks or months — problems whose complexity had been foiling human mathematicians for decades or longer.

— Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of complexity

Noun

In determining whether to reimburse treatment for such ailments, insurers turn to Food and Drug Administration labels and expert guidelines.

— Arthur Allen, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026
Eleven gullible idiots were talked into acquitting because of an imaginary female ailment.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of ailment

Noun

On Friday, the pope strongly reiterated the Church's pro-life teachings, criticizing initiatives to allow assisted dying for those who have incurable illnesses.

— Joshua McElwee, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Hair loss in women can be caused by many things, including your genetics, illnesses, nutritional deficiencies, physiological stress and shifts in hormones.

— Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of illness

Noun

The next phase will test the aircraft across increasingly demanding conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
The ticket price fluctuates based on usage conditions so as not to cause dissatisfaction among customers waiting in line.

— Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of condition

Noun

In this framework, the cure for the party’s ills can only come from inside the party, not from any external force.

— ANDREW MERTHA, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
Football cannot be expected to answer societal ills, but this is the sort of area in which the club’s foundation does its invaluable outreach work, a place touched by those statistics about deprivation and crime.

— Michael Walker, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of ill

Noun

But hair loss is also a potential symptom of PMOS, which stands for polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, a common hormonal disorder that affects about 5 to 6 million women in the United States.

— Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
No consistent associations stood out for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and associations between infections and ADHD could also be accounted for by other relationship factors.

— Mike McRae September 24, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of complication

noun

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