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

This shift complicates life for traditional stock pickers who strictly adhere to the deep value principles of Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett’s mentor.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

This allowed the team to remove much of the environmental variation that complicates cancer studies involving humans.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

In “House of the Dragon,” another factor complicates the sons’ ascension: Their authority figures are now their mothers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

That complicates companies’ calculations about where to invest and source inputs even further.

From Barron's ● May 26, 2026

NOTE: In some woodwinds, such as the clarinet , the upper "octave" may actually be the third harmonic rather than the second, which complicates the fingering patterns of these instruments.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones