complicate

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

See more synonyms for complicate on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), com·pli·cat·ed, com·pli·cat·ing.

to make complex, intricate, involved, or difficult: His recovery from the operation was complicated by an allergic reaction.

adjective

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

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 -ate¹

Related formso·ver·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·com·pli·cat·ed, o·ver·com·pli·cat·ing.pre·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), pre·com·pli·cat·ed, pre·com·pli·cat·ing.re·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), re·com·pli·cat·ed, re·com·pli·cat·ing.un·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), un·com·pli·cat·ed, un·com·pli·cat·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for complicate

Contemporary Examples

But there was money on the line, which tends to complicate things.
COEXIST’s Bonehead Bumper-Sticker Politics
Michael Schulson
December 21, 2014
The ambivalence is reflected in U.S. policy, which often has served to complicate aid delivery in conflict zones.
Why Humanitarians Talk to ISIS
Joshua Hersh
October 24, 2014
To complicate matters further, the only people who seemed to have any desire to go after Booker were of the conspiracy-theory ilk.
The Ugly Truth About Cory Booker, New Jersey’s Golden Boy
Olivia Nuzzi
October 20, 2014
The attacks on the Khorasan Group also complicate U.S. efforts to partner with the more moderate opposition.
Al Qaeda Plotters in Syria ‘Went Dark,’ U.S. Spies Say
Eli Lake
September 24, 2014
Two menacing Fargo-esque figures show up to complicate things.
Viral Video of the Day: A Little 'Lebowski' Influence in Kahlua Ad
Alex Chancey
September 4, 2014

Historical Examples

The fact only served to complicate his uneasiness with a sense of mystery.
The Rescue
Joseph Conrad
"That will complicate our search," said Glenarvan, somewhat disconcerted.
In Search of the Castaways
Jules Verne
There were no women present to complicate their simple morality.
Lost Face
Jack London
To complicate matters, the slaves rose in insurrection in August, 1791.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922
Various
But this love for Phillida served to complicate his relations with Millard.
The Faith Doctor
Edward Eggleston

British Dictionary definitions for complicate

complicate

verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌkeɪt)

to make or become complex

adjective (ˈkɒmplɪkɪt)

biology folded on itselfa complicate leaf
a less common word for complicated

Word Origin

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

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

Word Origin and History for complicate

v.

1620s, "to intertwine" (as a past participle adjective, early 15c.), from Latin complicatus "folded together; confused, intricate," past participle of complicare (see complication). Meaning "to make more complex" is recorded from 1832, from earlier sense "to combine in a complex way" (17c.). Related: Complicated; complicating.

complicate

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for complicate

Contemporary Examples

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

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

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

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

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

Historical Examples

The fact only served to complicate his uneasiness with a sense of mystery.

"That will complicate our search," said Glenarvan, somewhat disconcerted.

There were no women present to complicate their simple morality.

To complicate matters, the slaves rose in insurrection in August, 1791.

But this love for Phillida served to complicate his relations with Millard.

complicate

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for complicate

v.

Origin of complicate