complicated

1 of 2

adjective

com·​pli·​cat·​ed ˈkäm-plə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce complicated (audio)
Synonyms of complicated
1
: consisting of parts intricately combined
a complicated recipe
complicated machinery
2
: difficult to analyze, understand, or explain
a complicated issue
his absurdly complicated life
complicatedly adverb
complicatedness noun

complicated

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of complicate entry 1

Synonyms of complicated

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Adjective

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complex, complicated, intricate, involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts.

complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.

a complex recipe

complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.

complicated legal procedures

intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.

an intricate web of deceit

involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

Examples of complicated in a Sentence

Adjective The game's rules are too complicated. The machine has a complicated design.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
But in older adults, the relationship between body weight and health may be more complicated than a number on the scale. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026 Changing the clock gets complicated There are reasons school districts that accept the science on adolescent sleep still hesitate to change their schedules. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 While Mateta’s unhappiness has been apparent for some time, his situation has only become more complicated. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 On is a darkly comedic film exploring family, loneliness and the complicated ways people reconnect after years of emotional distance. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complicated

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of complicate entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complicated was in 1656

Rhymes for complicated

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Browse Nearby Words

complicate
complicated
complicatedly
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Cite this Entry

“Complicated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complicated. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

complicated

adjective
com·​pli·​cat·​ed ˈkäm-plə-ˌkāt-əd How to pronounce complicated (audio)
1
: consisting of many combined parts
complicated machinery
2
: difficult to analyze, understand, or explain : complex
complicatedly adverb
complicatedness noun

Medical Definition

complicated

adjective
com·​pli·​cat·​ed
of a bone fracture
: characterized by injury to nearby parts
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