complex 1 of 3

complex

2 of 3

noun

1
as in facility
a structure that is designed and built for a particular purpose an apartment complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in system
something made up of many interdependent or related parts a complex of government programs designed to assist the needy

Synonyms & Similar Words

complex

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective complex differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complex are complicated, intricate, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," 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 complex?

While the synonyms complicated and complex are close in meaning, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

When might intricate be a better fit than complex?

The synonyms intricate and complex are sometimes interchangeable, but intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

When is it sensible to use involved instead of complex?

Although the words involved and complex have much in common, involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When would knotty be a good substitute for complex?

While in some cases nearly identical to complex, 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 complex
Adjective
However, both of these scenarios resulted in the copious production of complex organic hazes, including molecular formulas that match compounds essential to life processes such as nucleobases, sugars, amino acids, and more. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025 The stereotype of Saudis as Bedouins on camels is slowly being replaced by a more complex, layered identity. Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Prison time before stabbing Four months into his probation, Brown robbed a man in an apartment complex in south Charlotte. Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025 Protests turn deadly The protests turned violent Monday as protesters clashed with police at the parliament complex in Kathmandu. Sugam Pokharel, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complex
Adjective
  • This narrative has taken center stage over a far more complicated and interesting reality.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • With the success of TV shows like Hacks and The White Lotus, which explore the beautifully complicated, often messy inner lives of women who don’t fit the ingenue mold, perhaps more production companies will take chances on similar shows.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His love of American design codes, such as the white T-shirt and sport jerseys, is evident in his manipulation of the garment to become a skirt or in creating an intricate patchwork tank-style dress.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • In living tissue, light scattering is common, signal contrast is often low, and reconstructing intricate features across a large volume presents a significant computational challenge.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Of the three facilities her friend recommended, The Menninger Clinic in Houston was the only one that returned her call.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Sacred Heart Schools announced a sweeping expansion to the Sacred Heart Academy campus focused on improving student facilities, expanding endowments to support scholarships and strengthening the school's annual fund.
    Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Analysts say the demand for systems that can turn raw healthcare data into actionable insights is only accelerating.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Chen has participated in both the supplier and wholesale sides of the alcoholic beverage three-tier system during his career and has witnessed the data discrepancy pain points under unstable policy change and nuanced market data in both segments.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During this time of year, tropical activity tends to develop in the Caribbean or Gulf, rather than near Africa, which also complicates response efforts, Francis said.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • However, the current crop of general-purpose humanoids tends to target moderate loads, similar to an average person, because higher payloads complicate balance and actuator sizing.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Boiled down in a cauldron using traditional methods, the sulfate-free formula bubbles up into a lovely lather that washes hands without stripping them (the glycerin, as well as coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, are to thank) and fills the room with its sophisticated, Provençal scents.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Smart stability through clever control The key to this drone’s ability to stabilize is a sophisticated feedback controller.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Users can search for specific properties of geologic units or click on the map for additional geologic information and links to more detailed maps of local areas.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • While history is ever present throughout, the Freedom Tower’s installations are created to appeal to 21st century visitors, many through interactive exhibitions, digital content and detailed re-creations.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But the virtual absence of the major broadcast networks across the board elsewhere only underscored how dramatically the business has shifted to streaming platforms.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • By making the cameras solar-powered and connected over cell networks, Flock brought the technology within reach of smaller towns and departments that couldn’t afford earlier systems.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complex. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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