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

But even with this, trans visibility is still an important, complicated and powerful force.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet for one particularly vulnerable population, the decision to reach out can be especially complicated.

From Los Angeles Times

“The question of proof of citizenship status would become exceptionally complicated, as the primary proof of citizenship for most Americans is their birth certificate,” Lang said.

From Salon

In addition, studying the disease directly is complicated, since brain or nerve tissue cannot easily be collected from patients.

From Science Daily

But advocates said doing so could have complicated Iran’s targeting and reduced the number of missiles and drones the U.S. would have faced.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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