complicate

[ verb kom-pli-keyt; adjective kom-pli-kit ]

verb (used with object)

, com·pli·cat·ed, com·pli·cat·ing.

1. to make complex, intricate, involved, or difficult:

   His recovery from the operation was complicated by an allergic reaction.

adjective

1. complex; involved.
2. Entomology. folded longitudinally one or more times, as the wings of certain insects.

complicate

verb

1. to make or become complex

adjective

1. biology folded on itself

   a complicate leaf

2. See complicated
   a less common word for complicated

Other Words From

• o·ver·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) overcomplicated overcomplicating
• pre·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) precomplicated precomplicating
• re·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) recomplicated recomplicating
• un·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) uncomplicated uncomplicating

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicate¹

1615–25; < Latin complicātus (past participle of complicāre to fold together), equivalent to com- com- + -plic- (combining form of *plecāre to fold, akin to plectī to plait; complex ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicate¹

C17: from Latin complicāre to fold together, from plicāre to fold

Example Sentences

Planning has been complicated because of uncertainty over the timing of FDA approval and the different dosage and storage requirements of prospective vaccines.

From Washington Post

This is all complicated by the fact that we’re still figuring out how best to combat the pandemic.

From FiveThirtyEight

Putting purpose into law will simplify, not complicate, the running of businesses by aligning what the law wants them to do with the reason why they are created.

From Fortune

She believes statements by the city clerk and City Attorney Mara Elliott ahead of the primary declaring that a two-thirds vote would be required to pass the measure could complicate matters for Measure C supporters.

From Voice of San Diego

Rather, most of the officials trying to complicate the voting process are Republicans.

From FiveThirtyEight

But there was money on the line, which tends to complicate things.

From The Daily Beast

The ambivalence is reflected in U.S. policy, which often has served to complicate aid delivery in conflict zones.

From The Daily Beast

To complicate matters further, the only people who seemed to have any desire to go after Booker were of the conspiracy-theory ilk.

From The Daily Beast

The attacks on the Khorasan Group also complicate U.S. efforts to partner with the more moderate opposition.

From The Daily Beast

Two menacing Fargo-esque figures show up to complicate things.

From The Daily Beast

It would be a mistake to still further complicate matters at this junction, he thought.

From Project Gutenberg

The existence of the theocratic element served further to complicate the machinery of government at Yedo.

From Project Gutenberg

Further to complicate the difficulty, Hercules found that as soon as he struck off one head, two others sprang up in its place.

From Project Gutenberg

Not to complicate the question, however, I have excluded all cases of nystagmus from the following investigation.

From Project Gutenberg

Every fresh change, especially the introduction of war-chariots or of horse-soldiers, would further complicate the acies.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• convolute
• impede
• involve
• muddle
• obscure
• perplex
• upset