1
as in intensifying
to make complex or difficult
the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deepening
to make more severe
asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating
Verb
-
Wednesday Eastern Time, intensifying global trade uncertainty.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025 -
But questions are intensifying over the fate of FDA user fee programs, the measles response and, most recently, Kennedy's decision to end the federal recommendation for fluoride in drinking water.—
Victoria Knight,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But a decade later, the 38-story structure has become emblematic of Hartford’s deepening office market troubles.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
24 Mar. 2025
-
If that weren’t enough, bad-faith actors exploit these dynamics, distorting reality for part of the population and deepening political divides.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.—
Kylie Mohr,
Vox,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The United States withdrew its forces from Europe while demanding debt payments from allies, who passed the costs on to Germany, worsening its financial turmoil and hastening its slide into Nazism.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
According to Yau, those with acne-prone skin should reach for a stainless steel gua sha—unlike natural stone, stainless steel is non-porous and anti-bacterial, preventing unwanted breakouts and aggravating easily congested skin.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Following his final round, the two-time major champion detailed surviving the weekend without aggravating his rib injury.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share