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complex Definition

com·plex (käm pleks′, käm′pleks′; kəm pleks′; for n. always käm′pleks′)

adjective

  1. consisting of two or more related parts
  2. not simple; involved or complicated

Etymology: < L complexus, pp. of complecti, to encircle, embrace < com-, with + plectere, to weave: see flax

noun

  1. a group of interrelated ideas, activities, etc. that form, or are viewed as forming, a single whole
  2. an assemblage of units, as buildings or roadways, that together form a single, comprehensive group
  3. Psychoanalysis
    1. an integration of impulses, ideas, and emotions related to a particular object, activity, etc., largely unconscious, but strongly influencing the individual's attitudes and behavior
    2. popularly an exaggerated dislike or fear

complex Related Forms
com·plex′ly adverb
complex Synonyms

complex

modif.

  1. Composed of several parts

    composite, heterogeneous, compound, conglomerate, multiple, mingled, mixed, motley, mosaic, manifold, multifaceted, multiform, many-sided, many-faceted, complicated, elaborate, aggregate, involved, combined, compact, compounded, amalgamated, miscellaneous, multiplex, multifarious, variegated, interwoven, interlaced; see also mixed 1.

    Antonyms simplified*, single, homogeneous.

  2. Difficult to understand

    complicated, involved, intricate, entangled, tangled, circuitous, convoluted, puzzling, mingled, muddled, jumbled, impenetrable, inscrutable, unfathomable, undecipherable, bewildering, perplexing, confused, difficult, obscure, abstruse, recondite, labyrinthine, enigmatic, hidden, knotted, knotty, meandering, winding, sinuous, tortuous, snarled, irreducible, rambling, paradoxical, excursive, Daedalian, Gordian, twisted, disordered, devious, Byzantine, cryptic, inextricable, mazy, roundabout, crabbed; see also confused 2, difficult 2, obscure 1.

    Antonyms simple, understandable*, plain, apparent.

complex refers to that which is made up of many elaborately interrelated or interconnected parts, so that much study or knowledge is needed to understand or operate it a complex mechanism; complicated is applied to that which is highly complex and hence very difficult to analyze, solve, or understand a complicated problem; intricate specifically suggests a perplexingly elaborate interweaving of parts that is difficult to follow an intricate maze; involved, in this connection, is applied to situations, ideas, etc. whose parts are thought of as intertwining in complicated, often disordered, fashion an involved argument

complex Synonyms

complex

n.

  1. An obsession

    exaggerated reaction syndrome, phobia, mania, fixation, repressed emotions, repressed fears, repressed desires, repressed hates, group of repressed associations, hang-up*; see also fear 2, insanity 1, neurosis, obsession.

    Types of psychological complexes include: Cain, castration, Diana, Electra, Oedipus, superiority, inferiority, persecution.

  2. A composite

    system, network, conglomerate, syndrome, web, tangle, ecosystem, ecological complex, aggregation, association, group, entanglement, totality; see also collection 2, confusion 2, system 1.

complex Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • reprocess: The problems also affected the Mayak reactor and reprocessing complex.

Adjective modifier

  • military-industrial: Professor Harrison gave a talk on ' Soviet Industry and the Red Army under Stalin: A Military-Industrial Complex?
  • sheltered: The tour finished with a buffet lunch at Maglands, a sheltered housing complex in Watchet.
  • indoor: Many of the properties come with leisure facilities, including indoor pool complexes, tennis courts and games room.
  • industrial: The groups inhabit areas near man, for example town centers or industrial complexes, and are reliant on him for food and shelter.
  • monastic: This elevated, grassy ridge provides an excellent vantage point for viewing and understanding the monastic complex.
  • megalithic: We visit Carrowmore, the most extensive megalithic complex in Ireland, containing dolmens, ring forts and fairy rings.

Modifies a noun

  • interaction: To stimulate awareness of the complex interaction between those trends and currents.
  • carbohydrate: Increase intake of dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates and green leafy vegetables.
  • task: The complex task of regenerating Docklands with its diverse areas was enormous.
  • structure: The use of a series of masks, each aligned to the surface of the material, allows quite complex structures to be fabricated.
  • issue: We are always there to provide advice, to guide you through more complex issues.
  • relationship: They began to discover the features that pointed to a more complex relationship between the Gospels.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: The position becomes more complex where an investigation is underway.

Noun used with modifier

  • inferiority: In my understanding, the inferiority complex refers to the need to be an individual.
  • leisure: A new leisure complex has been constructed within the last year.
  • shopping: It was off to Fleetwood by the slow coach ( the tram ) to the Freeport shopping complex.
  • petrochemical: Both companies operate considerable tank storage facilities which are fully integrated with the adjacent petrochemical complexes at Billingham and Wilton.
  • cinema: Present-day cinema culture is very much one of popcorn and coca cola at the cinema complexes in malls.
  • spa: The Lasko Spa complex is located in the very heart of Slovenia, an area noted for its flowers & its beer.
complex Quotes

Thinking precisely and systematically about something as complex and irregular as a modern economy is very difficult, maybe impossible.

—Solow, Robert M

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for thedisastrousrise of misplaced powers exists and will persist. 302

—Eisenhower, Dwight D(avid)

All known religious beliefs, whether simple or complex, present one common characteristic: they presuppose a classification of all things, real and ideal, of which men think, into two classes or opposed groups, generally designated†profane and sacred.

—Durkheim, EŁ  mile