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
From materials and complications to new projects, such as Bremont’s integration of its Supernova watch on the chassis of Astrolab’s FLIP rover headed to the moon, everyone had their head in the stars.
—
Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
While the surgery can help many dogs, complications and persistent breathing issues are common.
—Taneia Surles, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Moran reportedly spent the settlement money quickly and experienced severe financial hardship in the years leading up to her death in April 2017 at the age of 56 due to complications of stage 4 throat cancer.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Anyone can get Vibrio, but those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, thalassemia, receiving immune-suppressing therapy, taking medicine to decrease stomach acid or having recently had stomach surgery are at high risk of severe complications.
—Eva Flowe
may 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The prospect of a public university selling equity to a private entity would raise complications with university charters, enabling statutes and other documents that make clear the university belongs to the state and its people—not private businesses.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses and can result in serious health complications for children younger than age 5.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Those complications quickly showed themselves in the market.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 May 2026
There were so many layers and complications to this.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2026
Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
While the surgery can help many dogs, complications and persistent breathing issues are common.
—Taneia Surles, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Moran reportedly spent the settlement money quickly and experienced severe financial hardship in the years leading up to her death in April 2017 at the age of 56 due to complications of stage 4 throat cancer.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Anyone can get Vibrio, but those with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, thalassemia, receiving immune-suppressing therapy, taking medicine to decrease stomach acid or having recently had stomach surgery are at high risk of severe complications.
—Eva Flowe
may 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026
The prospect of a public university selling equity to a private entity would raise complications with university charters, enabling statutes and other documents that make clear the university belongs to the state and its people—not private businesses.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses and can result in serious health complications for children younger than age 5.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Those complications quickly showed themselves in the market.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 1 May 2026
There were so many layers and complications to this.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complications
Noun
-
The news came after the budget airline's years of financial difficulties.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
-
These difficulties have led the Mexican government to consider fracking, a proposal that sparked backlash from environmental organizations.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Taking them to their natural habitat in Africa isn’t feasible, given their limited gene pool and chance of carrying diseases.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
1 May 2026
-
Inspect regularly for pests and diseases.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
Noun
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These tools are centered on navigating the complexities of Western healthcare systems, understanding the value of alternative therapies, and managing emotional, financial, and administrative burdens while holding on to hope.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Considered the gold standard of journalism excellence, the Poynter Institute is a nonprofit organization that works to address the complexities facing the news industry, support press freedoms and foster trust of information.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Consumption of food contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
But illnesses in other states could be possible, CDC officials added.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This could help explain why hormonal birth control is so often prescribed for dozens of ailments—including painful periods, fibroids, and PCOS—that have few other effective treatments.—
Andréa Becker,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
-
Plus, the sandals have a thick leather strap that provides a pillowy cushion around the top of the foot, which is helpful for anyone with foot ailments.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties may hear the booms, depending on weather and other conditions, SpaceX said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
But county documents also detail conditions the project should meet to address impacts, including designing buildings to dampen sound and adding landscape buffers.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The most sicknesses were reported in Michigan.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The symptoms of our darkest cultural sicknesses become visible.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The expectations, the hope is so high for that prescription to be the salve for their ills.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And this one guy at this one firm can't solve all of his industry's ills.—
Sam Yellowhorse Kesler,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complications. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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