complicate
Americanverb (used with object)
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complicates,
present (3rd person singular)
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complicated,
past participle, past
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complicating
present participle
adjective
-
complex; involved.
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Entomology. folded longitudinally one or more times, as the wings of certain insects.
verb
adjective
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biology folded on itself
a complicate leaf
-
a less common word for complicated
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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overcomplicateverb (used with object)
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precomplicateverb (used with object)
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recomplicateverb (used with object)
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uncomplicateverb (used with object)
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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complicatesimple
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complicatessimple
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have complicatedperfect
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has complicatedperfect
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am complicatingprogressive
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are complicatingprogressive
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is complicatingprogressive
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have been complicatingperfect progressive
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has been complicatingperfect progressive
Past
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complicatedsimple
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had complicatedperfect
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was complicatingprogressive
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were complicatingprogressive
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had been complicatingperfect progressive
Future
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; see complex) + -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
To complicate things is to make them more complex, confusing, or difficult. So if you've already accepted two party invitations for Saturday night, don't complicate the situation by accepting a third. This verb dates back to the 17th century, when it meant “to intertwine” or “to fold together." This intertwining and folding together, however, sometimes don't work out so well. An infection can complicate an injury. A detour for road construction will complicate your usual route. And directions that are written in another language — and without pictures — complicate the assembly of furniture and toys.
Vocabulary lists containing complicate
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?" Vocabulary from the short story
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 4
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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.
See Examples For:
His gifts to his granddaughter could complicate Medicaid.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
For others, challenges with recognizing faces or understanding facial expressions can complicate everyday social interactions.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
It’s a film that knows yearning doesn’t cease no matter how long we live, and that it’s all too easy to let fear complicate what should be easy.
From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026
Slower adoption could further complicate the search for revenue, particularly for companies already struggling to monetize the technology.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026
And just to complicate matters perfecdy, I was starting to feel responsible for their safety and happiness and got panicked at the idea of them being captured or corrupted by the outside world.
From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff
While this may all sound a bit reactionary or like shooting fish in a barrel, Mungiu wisely complicates matters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
"The situation significantly complicates navigation in the Black Sea, drives up insurance premiums, and makes maritime traffic extremely difficult," Radev said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026
Here’s what complicates the monster story, and what Hollywood has failed to illustrate in this movie: I also found a young man failed by nearly every system around him.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
Later research also complicates the idea that increasing D-serine should always benefit an aging brain.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
“Having her on the loose certainly complicates the situation. Whether my assistance can compensate for her interference remains to be seen.”
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
What is far less complicated is France’s fiscal problem.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
We want to make it very obvious that this is complicated information, and we’re working hard because it’s our job to present this to you in a way that is consumable and accessible.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
“Don’t wait until the week before you turn 65 to learn about Medicare. It’s a very tricky, complicated program,” Taylor said.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026
His culpability is more complicated, but it really does take two to tango.
From Slate ● Nov. 2, 2026
"Oh, it's complicated, Sam. It's when you say one thing but mean something else. Or write one thing but mean something else. Understand?"
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
Establishing responsibility is challenging because it requires authorities to share maps pinpointing fire hotspots, with overlapping land claims further complicating matters.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
They are also challenging to modify genetically and can be damaged during freezing and storage, complicating the production and distribution of cell therapies.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
At your age, the premiums do start to creep up, in addition to medical tests complicating matters.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
In recent years, homeowners, developers and businesses have complained that navigating the Planning Department can be complicating and confusing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
“He’s complicating any adoption for Jupiter,” said Mrs. Stroud.
From "Orbiting Jupiter" by Gary D. Schmidt
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
