labyrinthine

adjective

lab·​y·​rin·​thine ˌla-bə-ˈrin(t)-thən How to pronounce labyrinthine (audio) -ˈrin-ˌthīn How to pronounce labyrinthine (audio) -ˌthēn How to pronounce labyrinthine (audio)
Synonyms of labyrinthine
1
: of, relating to, or resembling a labyrinth : intricate, involved entry 1
2
: of, relating to, affecting, or originating in the internal ear
labyrinthine lesions

Synonyms of labyrinthine

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Examples of labyrinthine in a Sentence

labyrinthine politics that left us totally befuddled
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.
Officials are starting to streamline teams for specific response needs – including hundreds of people who may be trapped in labyrinthine hydroelectric power plant tunnels. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 The tête-a-tête between Jack and Nora gets tedious pretty quickly, while as counterparts, Dani, Chad and Bianca are just not smart, sympathetic or interesting enough to sustain our interest in this labyrinthine plot. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026 As the forensic pressure mounted in 2025, King’s defense became technical, even labyrinthine. — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 Martinelli’s case, similar to the whispers that have emerged this week around Lewis-Skelly, is an example of moving parts within a labyrinthine beast of a transfer system. — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for labyrinthine

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of labyrinthine was in 1632

Rhymes for labyrinthine

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Browse Nearby Words

Labyrinthici
labyrinthine
labyrinthine tooth
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Cite this Entry

“Labyrinthine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/labyrinthine. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

labyrinthine

adjective
lab·​y·​rin·​thine -ˈrin(t)-thən; -ˈrin-ˌthīn How to pronounce labyrinthine (audio) -ˌthēn How to pronounce labyrinthine (audio)
: of, relating to, affecting, or originating in the inner ear
human labyrinthine lesions
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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