INTRICATE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'intricate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intricate are complex , complicated , involved , and knotty . While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately. // an intricate web of deceit

Q: When could 'complex' be used to replace 'intricate'?

In some situations, the words complex and intricate are roughly equivalent. However, complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure. // a complex recipe

Q: When is 'complicated' a more appropriate choice than 'intricate'?

The words complicated and intricate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining. // complicated legal procedures

Q: Where would 'involved' be a reasonable alternative to 'intricate'?

The words involved and intricate can be used in similar contexts, but involved implies extreme complication and often disorder. // a rambling, involved explanation

Q: When might 'knotty' be a better fit than 'intricate'?

The synonyms knotty and intricate are sometimes interchangeable, but knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable. // knotty ethical questions

intricate

adjective

ˈin-tri-kət

Definition of intricate

as in complicated

having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated an intricate machine that requires some training to use it properly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in detailed

made or done with great care or with much detail an intricate hairstyle that requires far too much maintenance to suit my taste

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective intricate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of intricate are complex, complicated, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

When could complex be used to replace intricate?

In some situations, the words complex and intricate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 intricate?

The words complicated and intricate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

Where would involved be a reasonable alternative to intricate?

The words involved and intricate can be used in similar contexts, but involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When might knotty be a better fit than intricate?

The synonyms knotty and intricate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 intricate But Shauf is less a mystery author than the proprietor of an intricate dollhouse, making his figurines fight and kiss in cross-sectioned rooms. — Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 That overlap goes well past the drivers, or even the intricate pieces that goes into both cars and cameras, says Mike Giannattasio, president of Leica Camera North America. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Still, the competition among jewelers is becoming more intense, not only for sports team’s commissions but also to design ever flashier pieces with intricate details. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Though thousands of people work at the company’s headquarters in Hamburg, this cadre of just over 60 metalworkers, gem-setters, nib-makers, and other specialists creates its most technically demanding and intricate writing instruments. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intricate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intricate

Adjective

Sports cars are getting bigger, heavier, and more complicated.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
The mental load of harder cases As AI takes on routine tasks, human agents may be left dealing with a greater share of complicated cases — and be required to pick up the slack when the technology fails.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicated

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

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

Adjective

Fielder has made a career out of constructing elaborate social experiments, like building exact replicas of people’s homes and hiring actors to impersonate their loved ones on The Rehearsal.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
That interest in lighting is something Berck would chase, leading him to create an elaborate Halloween and Christmas light show in middle school for his Naperville home at 10S287 Alan Road.

— Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of elaborate

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

The project also reflects the increasing importance of reliable manufacturing capacity in industries that depend on sophisticated electronic, sensing and space-related technologies.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
The Soviets and their allies might have sophisticated weaponry and boundless barbarity.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of sophisticated

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“Intricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intricate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of intricate

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