1
as in intensifies
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deepens
to make more severe
asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complicates
Climate change complicates forecasting All this is playing out against the backdrop of climate change, which is shortening winters and turning up the heat.
—
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
That last part complicates things, because if the question is greatest Boston athletes then Clemens becomes tougher to include considering his late-career heel turn.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The fossils become smooth, rounded and mineral-stained from their time underwater, a process that also complicates efforts to date them precisely.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
The result, investigators say, is a multi-jurisdictional maze—one that complicates oversight and slows accountability.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Musk merger complicates SpaceX IPO watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
Second, instability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border complicates regional connectivity and economic integration initiatives, including projects linked to broader Central and South Asia.
—Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
By probing deeper into outer-borough New York and its agrarian history, White complicates our traditional understanding of slavery as rural and southern, showing how memories of that peculiar institution shape contemporary urban life as well.
—Omari Weekes, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Brown, in this revival, enriches and complicates the tensions that already exist in LaChiusa and Wolfe’s text.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
That last part complicates things, because if the question is greatest Boston athletes then Clemens becomes tougher to include considering his late-career heel turn.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The fossils become smooth, rounded and mineral-stained from their time underwater, a process that also complicates efforts to date them precisely.
—Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
The result, investigators say, is a multi-jurisdictional maze—one that complicates oversight and slows accountability.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Musk merger complicates SpaceX IPO watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
Second, instability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border complicates regional connectivity and economic integration initiatives, including projects linked to broader Central and South Asia.
—Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
By probing deeper into outer-borough New York and its agrarian history, White complicates our traditional understanding of slavery as rural and southern, showing how memories of that peculiar institution shape contemporary urban life as well.
—Omari Weekes, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Brown, in this revival, enriches and complicates the tensions that already exist in LaChiusa and Wolfe’s text.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicates
Verb
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Researchers have long recognized that climate change intensifies heat waves.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Chronic low back or sciatic pain that intensifies monthly may be treated as a musculoskeletal problem.—
Sarah Berg,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For the Fed, the report deepens the potential stagflation bind.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Zelenskyy’s remarks come as Ukraine deepens its role in the region, sharing intelligence and defense expertise with Middle Eastern partners facing Iranian missile and drone strikes.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Their team might need the firmer assessment that challenges pride and even embarrasses, then the next year's group might need a lighter touch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Maia and her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hustcherson) are on the outs after Maia completely embarrasses herself at Dylan’s game night with his co-workers.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Smoke from wildfires penetrates deep into the lungs and aggravates respiratory disease more than any other type of pollution.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
4 Mar. 2026
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In the extreme off-chance that Darnold doesn’t play or aggravates the injury, the Seahawks would call upon Drew Lock, who has just three regular season passing attempts on the year.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The state’s notorious summer heat exacerbates overdose deaths, according to recent research.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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Sure, hormones may be bouncing around during midlife as women near menopause, but adding additional hormones to the mix adds risk and actually exacerbates some symptoms.—
Patricia Bencivenga,
STAT,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Go somewhere that confuses your algorithm.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
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An actress in 1962 Cuban, as its missiles crisis rages, confuses her role in a film and real life.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Distress could spread to countries beyond the Gulf if dire conditions prompt residents to flee across borders and infrastructure damage worsens a global oil shock, analysts said.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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In this case, your sweat is wasted and actually worsens the situation by failing to cool your body and contributing to dehydration.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complicates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicates. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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