Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

complicate

American  
[kom-pli-keyt, kom-pli-kit] / ˈkɒm plɪˌkeɪt, ˈkɒm plɪ kɪt /

verb (used with object)

complicated, complicating
  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 British  

verb

  1. to make or become complex

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. biology folded on itself

    a complicate leaf

  2. a less common word for complicated

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overcomplicate verb (used with object)
  • precomplicate verb (used with object)
  • recomplicate verb (used with object)
  • uncomplicate verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of complicate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He further explained that complicated questions in the competition force the programme to its limits and has inspired developers to continuously improve the programme accordingly through new features such as Copilot.

From BBC

Persistent inflation suggests that conditions are becoming ripe for the central bank to make a move, but some economists say Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s preference for expansive economic policies complicates the path to monetary tightening.

From The Wall Street Journal

The answer isn’t complicated, but acting on it will take determination and courage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some accusers expect the files to provide a transparency they have long sought, but the release of the documents will be a more complicated moment for others.

From Los Angeles Times

“Public misunderstanding of these losses could complicate communication and erode support for the Fed’s independence,” wrote Asher Rose, a former research analyst at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, this summer.

From Barron's