complication

[kom-pli-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of complicating.

2. a complicated complicated or involved state or condition.

3. a complex combination of elements or things.

4. something that introduces, usually unexpectedly, some difficulty, problem, change, etc..

   Because of the complications involved in traveling during the strike, we decided to postpone our trip.

   Synonyms: obstacle, handicap, drawback

5. Pathology.,  a concurrent disease, accident, or adverse reaction that aggravates the original disease.

6. the act of forming a unified idea or impression from a number of sense data, memories, etc.

complication

/ ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a condition, event, etc, that is complex or confused

2. the act or process of complicating

3. a situation, event, or condition that complicates or frustrates

   her coming was a serious complication

4. a disease or disorder arising as a consequence of another disease

Other Word Forms

• complicative adjective
• precomplication noun
• recomplication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of complication¹

1605–15; < Late Latin complicātīon- (stem of complicātiō ), equivalent to complicāt ( us ) ( complicate ) + -īon- -ion

Example Sentences

In 2020, his son, David, died in his fifties from complications of bile duct cancer.

From BBC

Of course, Ohtani’s two-way status would add extra complications to any potential bullpen plans.

From Los Angeles Times

A school-aged child in Los Angeles County has died from a rare complication of measles after contracting the disease in infancy, the county public health department announced Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

It also requires referral agreements with outside providers that can provide gynecological services, in case someone has complications from a medication abortion or needs further consultation.

From Salon

Older residents are much more susceptible to dying from heat or related complications, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• complexity 
• confusion 
• difficulty 
• obstacle 
• problem 
• snag