1
as in complicate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
a complicated apparatus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detailed
made or done with great care or with much detail
complicated plans for redeveloping the riverfront that involve both the private and public sectors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sophisticated
to make complex or difficult
the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggravated
to make more severe
asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 complicated
Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the legacy left by Mullally’s predecessor, Justin Welby, is a complicated one.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Simple ways to get better sleep Hamilton says improving your sleep doesn't have to be complicated.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complicated
Adjective
That’s fine when the film is out in the fields but tricky when the setting moves to Jerusalem and the very complicated politics of the day come into play.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the legacy left by Mullally’s predecessor, Justin Welby, is a complicated one.
—Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
The current lottery is complicated enough.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Simple ways to get better sleep Hamilton says improving your sleep doesn't have to be complicated.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complicated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated
Adjective
-
These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike reports on ICEBlock, posts tended to feature detailed information about each incident, including photographs and videos.—
Oriana van Praag,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
His 120 illustrations are colorful, sometimes combining nature photography with Walden’s original creations to form detailed settings.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Artificial intelligence and the expansion of remote and virtual care mean that malicious hackers have sophisticated new tools and increased opportunities to target hospitals.—
Jeffrey Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Artificial intelligence and the expansion of remote and virtual care mean that malicious hackers have sophisticated new tools and increased opportunities to target hospitals.—
Christian Dameff,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The injury was first reported by the British tabloid, The Sun, which claimed that Turner had aggravated a pre-existing back injury.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Huerta pled guilty in February in Leavenworth County District Court to one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated endangering a child, according to previous Star reporting.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There are 70 structures to explore, and what sets it apart from sites such as Angkor Wat is the construction techniques – the Cham people used red bricks decorated with intricate carvings, and historians have failed to work out how these bricks were fired.—
Tamara Hinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Because of their intricate root systems, mangroves are uniquely resilient to the waves and wind from storms.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Research also suggests that state and federal gas taxes are just one component of a complex pricing scheme that includes the global price of oil and other factors, the group said.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The scandal is now expanding into an international investigation, placing Miami at the center of a complex web of shell companies, offshore transfers and opaque financial flows.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cooperation between the countries has deepened in recent years, with the North sending troops and conventional weapons to support Russia's war against Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her voice—newly deepened and textured—became the most important instrument in the room, the centerpiece of every song.—
Jackson Howard,
Pitchfork,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But all mangroves have elaborate root systems that hold the plants steady even when they're battered by waves and wind.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The marketing effort was a huge success, with one TikToker’s elaborate morning routine featuring Saratoga’s iconic blue bottle going viral.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
