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
In December 2013, Avery died at the age of 68 after complications from open-heart surgery, per ABC News.
—
Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The series continues its pattern of plot complications and head-spinning mythologizing, adding new faces (including Laurence Fishburne, rocking his medieval fantasy glow-up), new magical rules and new dirty, bloody fight scenes.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms such as hives and lip swelling to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
What followed were major health complications for Hill, whose esophagus was badly damaged, according to family.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
About 20% of unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized, and 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who are infected will die from complications of the disease, according to the CDC.
—Audrey Dutton, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Guthrie died in 1967 at age 55 from complications of Huntington’s disease.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Also diagnosed was former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who died by suicide in 2017 while serving a prison sentence for murder, and former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who died in 2021 from complications of a seizure disorder.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
The union has argued that an election would extend an already prolonged process, and raises opportunities for complications and appeals.
—Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The series continues its pattern of plot complications and head-spinning mythologizing, adding new faces (including Laurence Fishburne, rocking his medieval fantasy glow-up), new magical rules and new dirty, bloody fight scenes.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Allergic reactions vary in severity from mild symptoms such as hives and lip swelling to life-threatening complications, such as anaphylaxis, that may include fatal respiratory problems.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
What followed were major health complications for Hill, whose esophagus was badly damaged, according to family.
—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
About 20% of unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized, and 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who are infected will die from complications of the disease, according to the CDC.
—Audrey Dutton, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Guthrie died in 1967 at age 55 from complications of Huntington’s disease.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Also diagnosed was former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who died by suicide in 2017 while serving a prison sentence for murder, and former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who died in 2021 from complications of a seizure disorder.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complications
Noun
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As for type 2, one of the difficulties of catching the condition in its early stages is that symptoms can develop very gradually.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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The Carolina Panthers knocked off the best team in the NFC, and the Indianapolis Colts had difficulties in a road loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In adults, physical activity helps to prevent and manage health problems like cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety—while also enhancing brain health and overall wellbeing—according to the World Health Organization.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Specifically, the study found that the teens and young adults required medical care for common mental disorders like anxiety and depression, a physical health condition, injuries and poisoning, and other physical diseases.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Her career began helping physicians through the early complexities of digital databases in the absence of information technology departments.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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For travelers, the new Delta flight route represents a more direct bridge to one of the world’s most talked-about destinations of late—both for its cultural renaissance and for its controversies and complexities.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Contractors working on the project recently completed pouring the foundation for what will provide smaller housing units meant to make quarantining detainees with communicable illnesses safer and easier.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
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The world’s most popular YouTuber partnered with Disney, Make-A-Wish America and YouTube to grant a Frightfully Fun Wish for 40 kids who’ve battled critical illnesses and wished to meet their favorite content creators.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Salmonella rarely results in more serious ailments, which can include arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
25 Oct. 2025
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This is based on a mix of historical accounts, the discovery of body lice on the remains of soldiers (which carried the pathogens that transmitted the ailments), and DNA analyses conducted nearly a decade ago.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And while mediators such as the United States, Egypt and Qatar play key roles in setting the political conditions for deals, the ICRC alone is poised to facilitate such swaps.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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The swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, forecasters said.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 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
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All their triumphs, all their sleepless nights, their loves and hates, their sicknesses, their schemes, their rises to power and their falls from it -- all gone.—
Paul Prather,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2016
Noun
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Ratti believes similar operations can be the soothing balm for retailers’ current ills.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
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And officials have long looked to play up the ills of other countries, especially the US, to boost their own image for domestic and, increasingly, international audiences.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complications.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complications. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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