Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective intricate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intricate are complex, complicated, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

When could complex be used to replace intricate?

In some situations, the words complex and intricate are roughly equivalent. However, complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When is complicated a more appropriate choice than intricate?

The words complicated and intricate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

Where would involved be a reasonable alternative to intricate?

The words involved and intricate can be used in similar contexts, but involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When might knotty be a better fit than intricate?

The synonyms knotty and intricate are sometimes interchangeable, but knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intricate Here, the rich traditions of bomba come alive, telling stories of resilience, joy and pain through its intricate beats and movements. Melissa Rose Cooper, Essence, 18 Apr. 2025 The intricate tensions of their relationships are deepened by evocations of the past—including their forebears’ tragic resistance to enslavement—and of enduring African traditions. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025 Although against a group of vibrant, hungry players who hunt like wolves before fizzing and whizzing in possession, with relentless ball speed and intricate rotations, Villa could only make up for the deficit in quality and European pedigree through hard work. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025 His big toes included the Texas pickle brand’s logo, and his remaining toes included intricate nail art to resemble pickles. Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for intricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intricate
Adjective
  • The Princess of Wales is coming off a very complicated year.
    Blanche Marcel, Glamour, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Admittedly, the show started to lose some momentum in later seasons as subplots and shifting relationships became more complicated.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The website Time and Date also provides detailed information about where and when to see the phenomenon.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Officials documented more than 700 images of the Hackman home, in addition to a detailed incident report which included evidence of dead rodents, rodent feces and live traps throughout multiple buildings on the property.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Those who recognize and act on this shift early will be better equipped to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic threat landscape—safeguarding users, data, and operations in the process. Follow me on LinkedIn.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The oldest rail tunnel in the world, a London Tube section dating from 1863, was completely renovated — including the complex task of changing the old-fashion ballasted track to modern direct rail fixation — using this repair-in-place approach.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The wedding started as an elaborate three-way ruse concocted by Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese American man; his white boyfriend, Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein); and Wei-Wei, an undocumented Chinese immigrant.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
  • For opening night of Good Night, and Good Luck at Winter Garden Theatre in New York City on April 3, Lopez stunned in a strapless black gown with a plunging neckline with a lightly colored caftan cape that flowed down to an elaborate train.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Left unmanaged, these issues can disrupt family dynamics, derail careers, deplete wealth and complicate legacy planning.
    John Samuels, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Shifting trade policies, geopolitical risks, supply shortages and evolving regulatory landscapes all complicate decision-making.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Hot Potato Salad Recipe: Shaved Vegetable Salad Recipe: Easy Bunny Cake This easy and elegant menu keeps things classic, but with an extra helping of flavor and color.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Puff sleeves are always elegant, helping to dress up any outfit no matter what it’s paired with.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The key benefits of integration include: • Enhanced Threat Detection: By unifying security tools, organizations can achieve a holistic view of their threat landscape, enabling the identification of sophisticated attacks that might evade stand-alone systems.
    Bob Kruse, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • According to Google, zero-day exploits are becoming increasingly easy for threat actors to develop and procure, which has led to more sophisticated attacks.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intricate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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