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
The woman suffered from additional complications and polyhydramnios, extra amniotic fluid, and after multiple hospital visits, Louise was told that Pandora's heart had stopped beating.
—
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The ruling now adds new complications to a parallel legal fight before Xinis, where the administration is seeking to dissolve her injunction blocking Abrego Garcia’s swift deportation if he is released from custody.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2026
But getting to the league’s next chapter hasn’t come without complications or chaos.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 21 May 2026
McBath had considered running in the crowded Democratic race for governor, but suspended her exploratory bid last year, pointing to her need to focus on her husband's health after complications from a recent cancer surgery.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Handing out the bracelets also offers Williams an opportunity to talk with her patients about maternal mortality and risks of complications.
—Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
Investigators emphasized that patients should speak with their oncology team before starting ibuprofen or exercise interventions during chemotherapy, as certain treatments or medical conditions could increase the risk of side effects and complications.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
One company, Global Protective Solutions, offers coverage for complications that happen up to 180 days after your procedure.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Her cause of death was complications of acute liver failure, per the obituary.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The ruling now adds new complications to a parallel legal fight before Xinis, where the administration is seeking to dissolve her injunction blocking Abrego Garcia’s swift deportation if he is released from custody.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2026
But getting to the league’s next chapter hasn’t come without complications or chaos.
—Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 21 May 2026
McBath had considered running in the crowded Democratic race for governor, but suspended her exploratory bid last year, pointing to her need to focus on her husband's health after complications from a recent cancer surgery.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Handing out the bracelets also offers Williams an opportunity to talk with her patients about maternal mortality and risks of complications.
—Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 15 May 2026
Investigators emphasized that patients should speak with their oncology team before starting ibuprofen or exercise interventions during chemotherapy, as certain treatments or medical conditions could increase the risk of side effects and complications.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
One company, Global Protective Solutions, offers coverage for complications that happen up to 180 days after your procedure.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 15 May 2026
Her cause of death was complications of acute liver failure, per the obituary.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complications
Noun
-
Genius Group shuts down due to financial difficulties.—
Maria Cristina Pavarini,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
-
Research has linked untreated hearing loss to social withdrawal, workplace difficulties, and cognitive health concerns later in life.—
Matthew Kayser,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Potatoes are highly susceptible to pests like the Colorado potato beetle and diseases like late blight that caused the Irish potato famine.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
23 May 2026
-
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a stem cell transplant can treat — and sometimes cure — certain blood disorders, cancers and autoimmune diseases by replacing unhealthy stem cells with healthy ones, either from the patient's own bone marrow or donated stem cells from another person.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Capturing all the complexities requires an equally complex quantum machine.—
Zeeya Merali,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
-
The outbreak was also undetected for weeks, adding to the complexities in containing it.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Sullivan battled multiple illnesses while her body struggled to protect itself.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
Nurse practitioners diagnose illnesses, develop treatment plans, prescribe medications and help patients manage both short-term and chronic health conditions.—
ByBryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
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Indicators can be so subtle and nonspecific that doctors tend to misattribute them to other, more common, ailments—which can delay diagnosis, sometimes for years.—
Nami Mun,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
-
The rotation has been marvelous from the get-go despite its ailments.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Though conditions are more acute in Myanmar due to the civil war, experts warn the chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz could also dent rice production across the region – with potentially huge shocks for food security.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
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Fire agencies across the North Bay are preparing for elevated wildfire danger this weekend as forecasters warn of strong winds and low humidity - conditions that often signal the start of fire season in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties.—
Da Lin,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Olena started with the children, the most vulnerable refugees as well as the most likely vectors of new sicknesses in the theater.—
James Verini,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
-
The most sicknesses were reported in Michigan.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Chambers grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, which has become something of a poster-child of the ills of deindustrialization.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
19 May 2026
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The expectations, the hope is so high for that prescription to be the salve for their ills.—
Torie Bosch,
STAT,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complications. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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