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

Those at high risk for serious complications or planning to travel or attend large gatherings might consider getting their shots sooner, such as two weeks ahead of those events. — Rob Stein, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

The risks of complications from Covid for pregnant people and their babies, however, is high. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Additionally, Bosa was back on the practice field Wednesday and could suit up despite missing the last month while dealing with complications from his right knee injury that cut last season short after three games. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026

The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026