complicated 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkäm-plə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce complicated (audio)
Definition of complicatednext
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

complicated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of complicate
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective complicated differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of complicated are complex, intricate, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

When might complex be a better fit than complicated?

The words complex and complicated can be used in similar contexts, but complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

When would intricate be a good substitute for complicated?

The synonyms intricate and complicated 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 complicated?

The words involved and complicated are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When is knotty a more appropriate choice than complicated?

Although the words knotty and complicated have much in common, 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 complicated
Adjective
This medicine may still be out of reach for patients who cannot afford it, don’t have access to cancer care, or who struggle to navigate complicated health care and insurance systems. — Stat Staff, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026 In many places, a single team is blacked out on League Pass, but things can get more complicated, particularly in states without teams. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
Rain that turned into the season's first significant snow, accompanied by strong wind, complicated the already difficult task of tackling the blaze and firefighters had to pull out overnight after several hours, officials said. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The movement has been complicated by its ties to right-wing politics in the United States, with high profile voices like US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and SpaceX founder Elon Musk egging them on. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complicated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicated
  1. complicate
  2. detailed
  3. sophisticated
  4. aggravated
  5. intricate
  6. complex
  7. perplexed
  8. deepened
Adjective
  • The company very deliberately targets large enterprise customers, which have the biggest and most complicate supply chain ecosystems.
    — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Wilcox noted that overlaps between substance use and suicide complicate reduction efforts.
    — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Definition of complicate
Adjective
  • Adding to the bronze structure is a detailed blossom decoration featuring 925 sterling silver and 24K gold accents.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
  • After a detailed briefing with an ATI staff member, I was kitted out with a folder packed with maps, a Namibian cell phone pre-programmed with key contacts, and a first-aid kit.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of detailed
Verb
  • Rooms decor is sophisticated, and not in the slightest bit stuffy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Large employers are considered to be sophisticated in their drug spending management.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of sophisticated
Verb
  • Edge rusher Myles Garrett aggravated a left knee injury and underwent surgery.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Outside linebackers Jalen Phillips (hamstring, aggravated from a week ago) and Thomas Incoom (calf) are being evaluated.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggravated
Adjective
  • The process was particularly intricate, as each interlacing detail on the bodice had to be carefully constructed by weaving hundreds of meters of rouleau and while maintaining the tension and precision of the corsetry underneath.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Dedicated to the god Amun, it is known for its beautiful pillars and intricate carvings.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intricate
Adjective
  • Some also called for a reform of the university admissions system, seen by many as complex and unfair.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Survivorship care is designed to identify and address the complex needs of a cancer survivor beyond just the physical changes.
    — Marci Lee Nilsen, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of complex
Verb
  • At Telluride, Fielder, who had initially planned to stay behind the scenes, admitted he was still perplexed by the couple’s openness.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • They were perplexed at first, flummoxed, but pleasant, and unfortunately for them, already long gone from the airport.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of perplexed
Verb
  • The friction has deepened since co-founder Reed Hastings stepped away from management, handing the reins in January 2023 to Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, who share the job of chief executive.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The crisis at Manchester United deepened with a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League, while Italian champion Inter Milan needed two goals in stoppage time to regain the Serie A lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of deepened

Browse Nearby Words

complicate
complicated
complicatedness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All