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.

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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

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adjective

1. biology folded on itself

   a complicate leaf

2. a less common word for complicated

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

Trying to outrun any new pronouncements from the White House will be too complicated, Woldenberg said.

From The Wall Street Journal

A protected Victorian heritage wall perched on the cliff was a complicating factor in getting the car out of the narrow path.

From BBC

Because we have these barriers to the single market, because we still have processes that are overly complicated, duplicated in many ways.

From The Wall Street Journal

He avoided prison, but his record later complicated his immigration battles.

From BBC

Teams were tasked with illustrating the theme of fair play and Unwin said the sculpture she designed was "ridiculously complicated".

From BBC

Related Words

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