complicate
ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪt
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of complicate - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

tr.
1.
general usemake something more difficult or complex
  • New laws tend to complicate the process of filing taxes..
complexify perplex
2.
complexityinvolve in a more intricate situation
  • The new rules may complicate the process.
embroil entangle

Adjective

1.
foldedRarebent or curved back on itselfRare
  • The complicate leaf had an unusual shape.
bent curved
2.
intertwinedRaretwisted together or tangledRare
  • The complicate branches made it hard to walk through.
entangled interwoven
Add a suggestion |

Expressions with complicate

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
introducing extra difficulty or confusion into an already problematic situation
To complicate matters, the train drivers announced a sudden strike.
make a situation harder or more confusing by adding new difficulties
Changing the schedule now would only complicate things for everyone.

Origin of complicate

Latin, complicare (to fold together)

Terms with complicate included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
complicate
make something more complicated or confusing by adding unnecessary elements
complicate
make something more difficult to understand
complicate
make a situation or task confusing or complicated
complexity
entangle or complicate
complexity
entangle or complicate
complexity
complicate a straightforward situation
complicate
to make a situation or task more complicated or difficult
difficulty
ruin or complicate something

Examples of complicate in a sentence

  • Unexpected changes can complicate the project timeline.
  • His comments could complicate the negotiations.
  • Adding more variables will complicate the equation.
  • The complicate structure of the shell was fascinating.
  • Botanists studied the complicate arrangement of the petals.
  • The complicate wires were difficult to untangle.

View all translations of complicate

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:compliquer, replié, ...
  2. German:komplizieren, zurückgebogen, ...
  3. Italian:rendere difficile, ripiegato, ...
  4. Spanish:dificultar, plegado, ...
  5. Portuguese:dificultar, dobrado, ...
  6. Chinese:使困难, 弯曲的, ...
  7. Japanese:複雑にする, 折りたたまれた, ...
  8. Arabic:عَقَّدَ, مَطْوِيّ, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְסַבֵּךְ, מְקוּפָּל, ...
  10. Russian:усложнять, сложенный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:утруднювати, складений, ...
  12. Hindi:जटिल बनाना, जटिल, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “c”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery