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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggravated
to make more severe asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

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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
The observation supports recent studies that show the coastal ecosystem is more complicated than previously thought. — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 But in the 1990s the mostly free flow of people ended, as Spain started to build what today is a complicated border fence complex to separate the European territories from Africa. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
Boy are the reasons for that complicated, and about a lot more than the tech industry. — David Pierce, The Verge, 15 Aug. 2026 And high costs and risky conditions along the route had already complicated Putin’s vision – even before Russia’s war against Ukraine drove international players from its Arctic territory. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 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
  • On the other hand, detailed reviews of individual high-cost claims frequently reveal inefficient areas in an employer’s health plan.
    — Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a 7-inch smart TFT display supporting turn-by-turn navigation and detailed trip graphs that map speed, elevation, and battery state of charge against route data.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of detailed
Verb
  • Much like self-driving cars on Earth, Perseverance has sophisticated onboard cameras that image the surrounding terrain, and these images are then processed algorithmically by an onboard computer to calculate the safest route.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The victory belongs to the people who refused the deal, not the people who were sophisticated enough to work within the system.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 July 2026
Definition of sophisticated
Verb
  • Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez aggravated his sore right elbow on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Houthi attacks in the Red ⁠Sea have aggravated the disruptions of supplies to global markets.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggravated
Adjective
  • The intricate diamond cuts and iconic Lismore pattern will cast elegant dapples of light across your table, while the weight of the crystal makes every clink feel even more satisfying.
    — Mina Dragani, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The new era of gourmands celebrate the intricate connection between food, fragrance, and nostalgia in an elevated way.
    — Danielle James, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of intricate
Adjective
  • What is going right in Syria The legalities of transitional justice may be complex, but this verdict is still seen as a landmark moment for justice.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • But these are merely the opening chords in this complex orchestration.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of complex
Verb
  • The Brazil midfielder has expressed a desire to join Arsenal, but Newcastle did not want to sell him this summer and have been perplexed by the lack of direct contact from the London club.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Workers at Doherty Staffing Solutions were perplexed when strangers started calling the office in response to recruitment texts — texts the firm never sent.
    — Bill Lukitsch, Boston Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of perplexed
Verb
  • China, which appointed an ambassador to the Taliban government in December 2023, has deepened its economic ties, with Chinese companies becoming major players in Afghan oil, copper and lithium extraction.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Students and families said the shift has been especially severe in parts of the south, including Helmand and Kandahar, where families already placed a stronger emphasis on religious studies and Taliban rule has deepened that pressure.
    — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepened

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Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicated. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of complicated for Spanish Speakers

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