complicate Definition
- 1make (something) more difficult or confusing by causing it to be more complex
- 2involve (someone) in difficulties or complicated circumstances, especially in a way that is undesirable or unhelpful
Using complicate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "complicate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The new regulations will only complicate matters.
Example
Her personal problems further complicated her work situation.
Example
The situation was already complicated, and his involvement only made it worse.
complicate Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using complicate
complicate matters/further
to make a situation more difficult or confusing
Example
His involvement only served to complicate matters further.
complicate things
to make a situation more difficult or complex than it needs to be
Example
Don't complicate things by adding unnecessary steps to the process.
complicate one's life
to make one's life more difficult or challenging than it needs to be
Example
She tends to complicate her life by taking on too many responsibilities at once.
Phrases with complicate
complicate matters
to make a situation more difficult or confusing
Example
His interference only served to complicate matters.
a relationship that is difficult to understand or manage due to various factors such as emotional baggage, external circumstances, or conflicting expectations
Example
Their complicated relationship has been the subject of much speculation and gossip.
a type of grief that is prolonged, intense, and accompanied by feelings of guilt, anger, or hopelessness
Example
She was diagnosed with complicated grief after her husband's sudden death.
Origins of complicate
from Latin 'complicatus', past participle of 'complicare', meaning 'to fold together'
Summary: complicate in Brief
To 'complicate' [ˈkɑːmplɪkeɪt] means to make something more difficult or confusing by adding complexity. It can also refer to involving someone in undesirable or unhelpful circumstances. Examples include 'The new regulations will only complicate matters,' and 'Her personal problems further complicated her work situation.' Phrases like 'complicate matters' and idioms like 'complicate things' emphasize the difficulty and confusion caused by the action.
