complicates

VERB

confuse, make difficult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

convolute impede involve muddle obscure perplex upset

STRONG

bedevil clog combine confound derange disarrange disorder elaborate embroil entangle fold interrelate interweave jumble multiply ravel snafu snag tangle twist

WEAK

add fuel to fire foul up infold interfuse make intricate make waves mix up muck up open can of worms render unintelligible screw up snarl up

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear up enlighten explain order

STRONG

arrange clarify divide exclude free straighten uncomplicate untangle untwist

WEAK

disentangle ease facilitate make simple

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

complicates

His unpredictability complicates Prime Minister Mark Carney’s negotiating stance, but he also provides a useful foil, a kind of bad cop for which Carney can offer his more measured good cop approach.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Infante pointed me toward research by Rabobank senior beverage analyst Bourcard Nesin that complicates one of the most common assumptions about Gen Z drinking habits.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

Hardware complicates my life, but I love it anyway.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

An inherited IRA complicates the Roth solution during this period between retirement and required minimum distributions.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026

“My parents don’t really get it when I’m sarcastic. It complicates things.”

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway