complication

[kom-pli-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of complicating.

2. a complicated complicated or involved state or condition.

3. a complex combination of elements or things.

4. something that introduces, usually unexpectedly, some difficulty, problem, change, etc..

   Because of the complications involved in traveling during the strike, we decided to postpone our trip.

   Synonyms: obstacle, handicap, drawback

5. Pathology.,  a concurrent disease, accident, or adverse reaction that aggravates the original disease.

6. the act of forming a unified idea or impression from a number of sense data, memories, etc.

complication

/ ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. a condition, event, etc, that is complex or confused

2. the act or process of complicating

3. a situation, event, or condition that complicates or frustrates

   her coming was a serious complication

4. a disease or disorder arising as a consequence of another disease

Other Word Forms

• complicative adjective
• precomplication noun
• recomplication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of complication¹

1605–15; < Late Latin complicātīon- (stem of complicātiō ), equivalent to complicāt ( us ) ( complicate ) + -īon- -ion

Example Sentences

In that setting, particularly among those with underlying heart or kidney disease, the drugs helped improve blood sugar levels, lowered the risk of related complications, aided weight reduction, and reduced the likelihood of early death.

Read more on Science Daily

The charity says complications from prematurity remain the leading cause of neonatal death and lifelong disability.

Read more on BBC

Tests conducted in human cells and mouse models revealed that the compound significantly reduced both immediate and long-term complications in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

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There are many advantages, but also complications when it comes to retirement and estate planning.

Read more on MarketWatch

There are many advantages, but also complications when it comes to retirement and estate planning.

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Related Words

• complexity 
• confusion 
• difficulty 
• obstacle 
• problem 
• snag