intricacies
2 antonyms for intricacies — opposites grouped by meaning.
Noun — The small, complicated details of something that make it hard to understand or do well.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The small, complicated details of something that make it hard to understand or do well.
“He spent years learning the intricacies of the tax code.”
complexities
subtleties
fine points
nuances
ins and outs
Opposites
basics
fundamentals
2. noun
Elaborate, finely worked detail in a design or object.
“The intricacies of the carving only show up under raking light.”
elaborateness
fine detail
Antonyms
basics
fundamentals
How to use intricacies
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the intricacies of
master the intricacies
grasp the intricacies
legal intricacies
technical intricacies
Neutral to slightly formal. Almost always used in the plural.
Etymology
From Latin intricare, "to entangle", from tricae, meaning trifles or perplexities.
Full origin of intricacies →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between intricacies and complexities?
Complexities suggest a system with many interacting parts and can feel daunting or messy. Intricacies suggest fine, detailed workings that reward close attention. You untangle complexities but you appreciate intricacies.
Can you use intricacy in the singular?
Yes, but it is uncommon. The singular usually names the quality itself, as in "the intricacy of the design", while the plural names the individual details.
Is intricacies a positive or negative word?
It is broadly neutral and often mildly admiring. Calling something intricate implies skilled, detailed work, whereas calling it complicated implies unnecessary difficulty.
