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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complications
When Cochrane died in 1913, at 74, from complications following a stroke, there was a growing commercial market for dishwashers in the United States.
—
Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Viruses can trigger serious asthma attacks and lead to complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
—Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
But with Coleman's unsettling prophesy, the mood changes, and complications begin to creep in.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Many others, including a number of first responders, later died due to health complications related to the toxic conditions after the attacks.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Her main motivation is to protect her 4-year-old daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes, which puts her at risk for serious complications.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
That is especially important for patients at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19, such as seniors and people with certain medical conditions.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Another couple, Taylor and Bryan McClain, also came to rely on Soliman when their newborn, Violette, arrived at Cincinnati Children’s last year with life-threatening complications.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Armani was an intensely private man but had a longstanding personal relationship with his business partner, the architect, fashion designer and businessman Sergio Galeotti, who died of complications from AIDS in 1985.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Viruses can trigger serious asthma attacks and lead to complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
—Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
But with Coleman's unsettling prophesy, the mood changes, and complications begin to creep in.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Many others, including a number of first responders, later died due to health complications related to the toxic conditions after the attacks.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Her main motivation is to protect her 4-year-old daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes, which puts her at risk for serious complications.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
That is especially important for patients at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19, such as seniors and people with certain medical conditions.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Another couple, Taylor and Bryan McClain, also came to rely on Soliman when their newborn, Violette, arrived at Cincinnati Children’s last year with life-threatening complications.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Armani was an intensely private man but had a longstanding personal relationship with his business partner, the architect, fashion designer and businessman Sergio Galeotti, who died of complications from AIDS in 1985.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complications
Noun
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It's become well established as an excellent choice for elderly people with nutrition problems or swallowing difficulties.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Fathers spoke of feeling abandoned by the government and the difficulties of getting help.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Parents will be especially alarmed and this will place terrible burdens on pediatricians who will need to assuage their worries in order to provide important protections against serious and sometimes fatal diseases.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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Nurabot is currently being piloted in Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, on a ward that treats diseases associated with the lungs, face and neck, including lung cancer and asthma.—
Rebecca Cairns,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Renowned legal journalist Jeffrey Toobin will be the keynote, offering perspective on justice, mercy, and the complexities of the legal system.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The film told the story of an underachieving stoner (Rogen) and an ambitious TV reporter (Katherine Heigl) who, after their one-night stand results in pregnancy, must navigate the complexities of becoming parents while getting to know each other.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Children suffering from malnutrition can be more susceptible to contracting other illnesses, and children with preexisting conditions can be more vulnerable to becoming malnourished, experts say.—
Pablo Robles,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
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Childhood illnesses had severely weakened her own heart.—
Ruchi Kumar,
NPR,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Practitioners and patients alike have realized that there is no magical pill that treats all ailments for everyone.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Quarterback Brock Purdy has shoulder and toe ailments and will sit out at least the next two games.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Nutrient-rich soil in laboratories also does not reflect the challenges of field conditions.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Blake Lively previously identified Swift as a person in her orbit would have knowledge about discussions regarding working conditions on the set of the movie, produced by Wayfarer Studios.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pathogens in human poop can remain active for a long time – over a year in outdoor environments – meaning that waste left behind today can cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors.—
B. Derrick Taff,
The Conversation,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One dares to hope that Hollywood, for all its current ills, may finally be turning a corner, reverting back to when new ideas were held at a premium.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Sep. 2025
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In their assessments, desegregation and the passage of time have cured all of America’s racial ills.—
Time,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complications. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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