1
as in difficulties
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
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2
as in diseases
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
complications set in after the surgery
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Recent Examples of complications
By law, mothers can take up to 90 days of leave for a single baby with no complications, and fathers are afforded 20 days.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
More Effective Ways to Ease a Stomach Bug While there’s no quick cure for viral gastroenteritis, supportive care can make stomach flu symptoms more manageable and reduce the risk of complications like dehydration.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2026
Kuechly’s career was cut short at age 28, due to injury complications.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Trade rumors swirled around Skubal all winter, with his still-to-be-determined 2026 salary one of many complications in any potential deal.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Your optimism may want to assist your peers, yet outside influences could entangle you in myriad complications.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Doctors may prescribe icosapent ethyl along with statins to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications of heart disease and diabetes.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Cotton said one of the law's complications is that, in many cases involving AI, there's essentially no victim; the images often are generated by a computer program.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Yet, approximately 30% to 40% develop one or more complications, from mild to severe.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
More Effective Ways to Ease a Stomach Bug While there’s no quick cure for viral gastroenteritis, supportive care can make stomach flu symptoms more manageable and reduce the risk of complications like dehydration.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2026
Kuechly’s career was cut short at age 28, due to injury complications.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
Trade rumors swirled around Skubal all winter, with his still-to-be-determined 2026 salary one of many complications in any potential deal.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Your optimism may want to assist your peers, yet outside influences could entangle you in myriad complications.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Doctors may prescribe icosapent ethyl along with statins to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications of heart disease and diabetes.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Cotton said one of the law's complications is that, in many cases involving AI, there's essentially no victim; the images often are generated by a computer program.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Yet, approximately 30% to 40% develop one or more complications, from mild to severe.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complications
Noun
-
Just as enterprising librarians and archivists met the difficulties of their day with novel solutions, now a new generation looked for ways to adapt to the overflow.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Feb. 2026
-
On Friday, Hoda Kotb, who co-anchored TODAY with Savannah from 2017 until January 2025, returned to the show to talk about the worry the team feels for their friend, and all the times Savannah has been there for them while facing their own difficulties.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rotating crops helps minimize pests and diseases.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
-
When consumed in excess, salt can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of cardiovascular diseases.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As indie film buyers and sellers prepare to come together at the European Film Market in Berlin, there is a sense that, although the arthouse market is fragmented and not a little divided, the leaders in the field are adapting to the ever-evolving complexities of the specialty world.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2026
-
With over a dozen years of experience as a founder, 42-year-old Griffiths has first-hand experience with the social complexities and emotional toll of entrepreneurism.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Artemis astronauts leave quarantine Delaying the mission until March means the astronauts have exited quarantine at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, which is protocol ahead of spaceflights to ensure crews avoid exposure to illnesses.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
One of the illnesses that can be especially serious for young children is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).—
Michael Cromer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In recent weeks, Doncic has grappled with ankle and groin ailments as well; the wear-and-tear of the season emerging just before the All-Star break.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The spice's active compound, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help support a range of ailments and conditions.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under normal conditions, these signals go straight to the robot’s central processing unit.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
8 Feb. 2026
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No matter the conditions, our officers are always ready to answer the call.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From the moment the kids set foot back at school in the fall, until some time around spring break, parents can expect sicknesses to take over their homes faster than the latest viral slang expression.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
10 Jan. 2026
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And among parents, the fear of illnesses like polio, measles and other sicknesses were always present.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
18 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
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
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During the 1980s, both tabloids pandered to the racial resentments and fears of white New Yorkers when covering all of the city’s ills.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complications. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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