complicate Hear it!

complicate Definition

com·pli·cate (käm′pli kāt′; for adj., -kit, -kāt′)

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·cat′ed, -·cat′·ing

to make or become intricate, difficult, or involved

Etymology: < L complicatus, pp. of complicare, to fold together < com-, together + plicare, to fold, weave: see flax

adjective

  1. Archaic complicated
  2. Biol. folded lengthwise, as some leaves or insects' wings

complicate Synonyms

complicate

v.

involve, convolute, confound, make difficult, make complex, make intricate, tangle, twist, snarl up, entangle, embroil, obscure, make multiform, make various, muddle, confuse, mix up, elaborate, embellish, compound, implicate, conceal, impede, perplex, vex, hinder, hamper, encumber, bedevil, darken, obfuscate, mystify, render unintelligible, jumble, knot, tie in knots, clog, ball up*; see also confuse, entangle.

Antonyms simplify*, clear up*, disentangle.

complicate Usage Examples

Object

  • matter: To further complicate matters there are two sewer levels.
  • bit: Sorry, it gets a bit complicated at times... .
  • pregnancy: We Inform patients as to the risks involved in having a pregnancy complicated by diabetes and how these are minimized.
  • factor: The truth is that lack of sleep may be a complicating factor in coping with times of stress.
  • it's: When it comes to choosing your mortgage however, always seeks independent advice â itâs too complicated a decision to go it alone.
  • situation: The presence of other children sharing one or both parents might further complicate the situation.

Subject

  • fact: The position in the present case is complicated by the fact that there are two frauds involved.
  • presence: The solution is complicated by the presence of lawyer media assumed to extend to infinity.
  • arrival: Charlie gets knocked about as a set-up is suspected and a rooftop chase follows, much complicated by the arrival of the Keystone cops.
  • infection: She had a prolonged recovery period complicated by infection.

Modifying Another Word

  • unnecessarily: Why is it all so bloody, unnecessarily complicated?
  • overly: They can be overly complicated, and people consider the prospect of their money being tied up for decades unattractive and inflexible.
  • fiendishly: WORKING out how much money you will have in retirement is fiendishly complicated.
  • needlessly: Why do people make their travel arrangements needlessly complicated?

Used with why or when

What: Far too simplified A little condescending Pitched just right Hard work Far too complicated What could improve this page?

Infinitive complement

explain: Actions and resources It can become complicated to explain exactly how young children learn in all their areas of development.

Preposition: by

  • fact: The position in the present case is complicated by the fact that there are two frauds involved.
  • presence: The solution is complicated by the presence of lawyer media assumed to extend to infinity.
  • arrival: Charlie gets knocked about as a set-up is suspected and a rooftop chase follows, much complicated by the arrival of the Keystone cops.
  • infection: She had a prolonged recovery period complicated by infection.