complicate

[kom-pli-keyt, kom-pli-kit]

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.

adjective

1. complex; involved.

2. Entomology.,  folded longitudinally one or more times, as the wings of certain insects.

complicate

verb

1. to make or become complex

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicate¹

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

Example Sentences

By studying the after-effects of massive events like galactic mergers or quasar blasts, astronomers can learn more about the long and complicated lives of galaxies.

Read more on Space Scoop

The mixed reactions to Machado’s award, both in Venezuela and across the continent, reflect the complicated politics and shifting alliances in the region.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Employees said Hyundai imposed a blistering pace of construction, and that a web of more than 100 contractors on the site complicated efforts to enforce safety standards.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Plenty of groups have tried to do this before us. It's known that certain complicated quantum systems could be solved efficiently with a semiclassical approach," Marino says.

Read more on Science Daily

But analysts say the protests could complicate election preparations.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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