1
as in difficulty
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
the food allergies of the guests were just another complication for the couple trying to plan their wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning
complications set in after the surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in complexity
the state or quality of having many interrelated parts or aspects
a problem of such irreducible complication as to defy any easy solution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complication
These findings align with the broader benefits of vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19 and its complications.
—
Henry I Miller, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
Sullivan, 89, died of complications from pancreatic cancer on Jan. 16 at her Oak Park home, said her daughter, K.T. Sullivan.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
The Tambour Taiko Spin Time collection features an existing Louis Vuitton complication: spinning blocks at the 12 hour-marker points indicate the time.
—Robin Swithinbank, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
In August, the agency officially decided to fly Starliner back to Earth uncrewed because those complications weren't fully resolved; the Starliner astronauts' mission plans therefore had to shift.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for complication 
Henry I Miller, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025
Sullivan, 89, died of complications from pancreatic cancer on Jan. 16 at her Oak Park home, said her daughter, K.T. Sullivan.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
The Tambour Taiko Spin Time collection features an existing Louis Vuitton complication: spinning blocks at the 12 hour-marker points indicate the time.
—Robin Swithinbank, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
In August, the agency officially decided to fly Starliner back to Earth uncrewed because those complications weren't fully resolved; the Starliner astronauts' mission plans therefore had to shift.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for complication
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complication
Noun
-
These categories are color-coded and vary in difficulty, with purple considered the hardest category and yellow considered the easiest.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Kate Gibson,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Show creator Samantha Strauss said the character of Lucy was important to depict what a lot of people feel when fighting a disease: not listened to, not in control and not acknowledged as a full person.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN,
16 Feb. 2025
-
How long that takes depends on the course of the disease and farmer operations.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Because of the size and complexity of each language, most digital translators use a data connection to access servers that contain the information required to complete their translation.—
Séamus Bellamy,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Michael Flaherty Updated Jan 13, 2025 - Business Corporate spinoffs grow in size and complexity The average size of corporate spinoffs is growing, as CEOs look beyond hiving off unloved divisions and toward more complex, transformative deals.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
More news: Browns' Myles Garrett Speaks Out Following Shocking Trade Request Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens were both listed as full participants, which is huge news considering both were dealing with ailments leading into the NFC Championship game.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Details of the characters’ psychologies — Belle’s impulse to fake an ailment whenever she’s threatened, or Milla’s doubling down on pseudoscience to protect herself from facing mortality — are introduced, underlined, and then hammered over repeatedly.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Clark said the Naval Special Warfare Command reported 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, among Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combat crewman candidates at the Coronado base from January 2019 to May 2023.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Nearly 8% of outpatient visits for respiratory illness during the week ending Feb. 8 were for flu-like illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
While market conditions could shift later this week, now is a good time to explore which cryptocurrencies are worth watching in the days ahead.—
Vinamrata Chaturvedi,
Quartz,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Experts say these health conditions could be contributing to your exhaustion.—
Kimberly Richardson,
CNN,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The superrich have always wielded inordinate economic and social power and, as such, have plenty of historical ills to answer for.—
Brian Klaas,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The latest example is Tony Scholes, the Premier League’s chief football officer, who commented at a media event this week that officials may crack down on one of the modern game’s great ills: goal celebrations.—
Nick Miller,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Special education classroom assistants provide one-on-one tutoring and personal hygiene to students with visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities and behavior disorders.—
Gregory Royal Pratt,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The majority will be donated to RS EDEN (Minneapolis) to help with treatment, supportive housing, and reentry into community for our fellows with substance use disorders.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near complication
Cite this Entry
“Complication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complication. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share