intricacy

noun

in·​tri·​ca·​cy ˈin-tri-kə-sē How to pronounce intricacy (audio)
plural intricacies
Synonyms of intricacy
1
: the quality or state of being intricate
2
: something intricate
the intricacies of a plot

Synonyms of intricacy

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Examples of intricacy in a Sentence

She admired the composition for its beauty and intricacy. I had trouble following all the intricacies in the plot. the intricacies of English grammar
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The pair hunched over a laptop, studying the intricacies of Miller’s approach to shutting off the baseline on defense. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Between the milk to matcha ratios, to whether or not a drink needs a cold foam, the two take their time to understand the intricacies of making a tasty drink. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 The visceral intricacy of the action alone feels unprecedented for stop-motion. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 The intricacies of their discourse and society might be unfilmable, or at least, not many have tried to represent it in full. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intricacy

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intricacy was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

intrepidness
intricacy
intricate
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Cite this Entry

“Intricacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intricacy. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

intricacy

noun
in·​tri·​ca·​cy ˈin-tri-kə-sē How to pronounce intricacy (audio)
plural intricacies
1
: the quality or state of being intricate
2
: something intricate
the intricacies of the plot
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