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

I did not want to complicate the discussion by introducing grand political theories; I would rely on common sense and the facts of our history.

From Literature

To complicate matters, on the same day Esperanza went into heat, Pancho Armijo came home with a brown milk goat.

From Literature

“Millamant’s Magic Marquees...they’re very good, Bill’s escorting them....You’d better stay inside while they’re here, Harry. I must say it does complicate organizing a wedding, having all these security spells around the place.”

From Literature

This was in some ways a relief: I think we’d all been getting anxious about how a fresh lot of Hailsham students might complicate things.

From Literature

When African Americans began to exercise their right to vote in the 1970s, there was deep concern among some prosecutors and judges about how the racial demographics in some counties would complicate their reelections.

From Literature

Related Words

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