complicating

verb

present participle of complicate
1
as in intensifying
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 deepening
to make more severe asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 complicating Conventional versions can contain elastic bands, clasps, clips, foam and multiple synthetic textiles, complicating recycling and other end-of-life options. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 Even so, Chinese firms still trail their American counterparts by more than 6-to-1 in capital raised from markets over the past two years, with Washington’s chip export curbs complicating the catch-up effort. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026 These can inevitably end up complicating what seemed like a smart retirement plan. — Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026 Advertisement But, again, this result in Michigan may be a complicating factor as Democrats try to figure out their next leaders. — Philip Elliott, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 The president's backing typically carries significant weight in Republican politics, but there could be a complicating factor. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 Kraft suffered a clean ACL tear, but Parsons’ injury involved meniscus damage, complicating the recovery. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Barcelona, already short on strikers, cannot renew him until September due to Financial Fair Play constraints, further complicating Flick's squad plans. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Following the surgery De Paula contracted a bacterial infection, complicating her recovery and ultimately leading to her death, Noticias Sin reported. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
  1. intensifying
  2. deepening
  3. perplexing
  4. worsening
  5. embarrassing
  6. aggravating
  7. confusing
  8. entangling
Verb
  • Yet research carried out by The Athletic shows the trend is rapidly intensifying.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • As protests against the dismissal of Ukraine’s young reformist defense minister spread out across its major cities, Moscow has been intensifying its rocket blitzes.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensifying
Verb
  • In her new role, the company said Kanemitsu will oversee its strategic vision and day-to-day operations across Japan, focusing on accelerating customer success, deepening partner relationships and driving regional growth.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Lake Mead, the reservoir on the Arizona-Nevada border that is a crucial source of water for the American Southwest, sank to its record-lowest levels in the past week, raising concerns about deepening water supply cuts affecting millions of people.
    — Chad de Guzman, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of deepening
Verb
  • Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat).
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • The Washington’s deployment comes as reports have emerged in recent months recounting worsening living conditions, mental health concerns, and supply shortages on board the Lincoln.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The exploration licenses were granted before Greenland stopped issuing new licenses in 2021, citing the worsening climate crisis.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of worsening
Verb
  • The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Anthrax, Sublime, and Red Hot Chili Peppers were easy and often embarrassing examples, but the funky waka-waka guitar sound extended to Rage Against the Machine, Green Jellÿ, and Suicidal Tendencies (and their side project, Infectious Grooves).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Verb
  • New details have emerged about San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader oddly aggravating his foot injury in a scooter accident over the past weekend.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 31 July 2026
  • But Jackson played through foot pain after re-aggravating the toe injury as a result of playing the final five games of the season.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of aggravating
Verb
  • But there is the risk that his strategy will backfire by confusing investors.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Jobs are down, but consumer sentiment—and the stock market—are up, leaving the retail sector to reckon with a host of seeming contradictions and confusing market signals.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • As Bruno departs for Venice, desire persists across oceans, entangling a Spinozist professor and rival passions.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • When that quantum task involved entangling qubits, quantum computers had an advantage over classical computers, as the classical program took ages to run.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026
Definition of entangling

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Cite this Entry

“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of complicating for Spanish Speakers

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