COMPLICATING Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

complicating

verb

present participle of complicate

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deepening

to make more severe asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of complicating Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed. — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026 Nepalese officials said that dozens of bridges were destroyed and nearly 40 kilometers (25 miles) of roads were damaged, complicating search efforts. — Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 Nepalese officials said that dozens of bridges were destroyed and nearly 25 miles of roads were damaged, complicating search efforts. — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 But regional pipeline politics have proved tricky in the past, complicating relations between, among other states, Iraq and Turkey, and Qatar and Saudi Arabia. — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026 As of Sunday morning, the Hawk Fire was 0% contained and was moving in different directions as the winds changed, complicating the fight. — CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 The Bundibugyo virus causing the current outbreak in Congo is less common than others that cause Ebola disease, which is complicating the response, because there are no specific treatments or vaccines. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 There are nine newcomers this season and six of last season’s top 12 finishers have new managers in charge, complicating the challenges that lie ahead. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, the war in the Middle East has kept oil prices elevated, squeezing consumers and complicating the inflation outlook. — Andrew Graham, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for complicating

Verb

Huge challenges remain, however, with European companies facing intensifying competition from China.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Emergency services have been battling wildfires driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season, generating dense smoke that crossed into Malaysia and Brunei, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

— Muhammad Hatta, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensifying

Verb

Apart from deepening its presence in existing markets, IHH is also considering expanding into adjacent countries, though Prem admits that no concrete plans have yet been made.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Beyond brands and filmmakers, InnoAsia is deepening ties with technology firms and international markets.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of deepening

Verb

Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.

— Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat).

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026

Definition of perplexing

Verb

The comprehensive regimen is meant to uncover any prior criminal conduct in an applicant’s past as well as embarrassing personal information that could make an employee vulnerable to blackmail.

— Eric Tucker, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrassing

Verb

But Leclerc stayed out for several laps, aggravating Hamilton in the process.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
While Samuel caught 1-of-2 targets in his preseason debut, Mike Evans remained in street clothes after aggravating a quadriceps in Tuesday’s joint practice.

— Cam Inman, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of aggravating

Verb

As Bruno departs for Venice, desire persists across oceans, entangling a Spinozist professor and rival passions.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 17 July 2026
When that quantum task involved entangling qubits, quantum computers had an advantage over classical computers, as the classical program took ages to run.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2026

Definition of entangling

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complicates

complicating

complication

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“Complicating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complicating. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of complicating

verb

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