complicate
KOMP-lih-kayt
Complicate (verb) means to make something more difficult or intricate than it needs to be. Example: “Adding more clauses only complicated the contract.”
verb
1
To make something more difficult or intricate than it needs to be.
"Adding more clauses only complicated the contract."
"Please don't complicate things by bringing up the past."
2
(medicine) Of a condition, to develop alongside and worsen another illness.
"A chest infection complicated her recovery from surgery."
How to use complicate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something harder to understand or deal with by adding extra parts or problems.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the verb "complicate" with the adjective "complicated" — "this will complicate matters" vs "this is complicated."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
complicate matters
complicate things
further complicate
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- complicates
- Past tense
- complicated
- Comparative
- more complicate
- Superlative
- most complicate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Adding more clauses only _____ the contract.
Etymology
From Latin complicatus, "folded together," from com- ("together") + plicare ("to fold") — the same root that gives us "complex" and "plait."
Synonyms
View more →
refine
rarify
complex
complexify
complify
confuscate
desimplify
elaborate
jazz
make a meal of
perplex
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for complicate
See all rhymes for complicate →Frequently asked questions
What does “complicate” mean?
The word “complicate” means to make something more difficult or intricate than it needs to be. In plain terms, to make something harder to understand or deal with by adding extra parts or problems.
How do you pronounce “complicate”?
“Complicate” is pronounced KOMP-lih-kayt (/ˈkɑmplɪkeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “complicate” in a sentence?
Here is “complicate” used in a sentence: “Adding more clauses only complicated the contract.”
What is another word for “complicate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “complicate” include complex, complexify, complify, confuscate, desimplify and elaborate.
What is the opposite of “complicate”?
The opposite of “complicate” — its antonyms — are decomplexify, simplify and uncomplicate.
What part of speech is “complicate”?
“Complicate” is a verb.
Where does the word “complicate” come from?
The word “complicate” comes from Latin. From Latin complicatus, "folded together," from com- ("together") + plicare ("to fold") — the same root that gives us "complex" and "plait.".
Is “complicate” a common word?
“Complicate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
