Complicated — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /ˈkäm-plə-ˌkā-təd/ com·pli·cat·ed

Meaning & Definition of Complicated

Complicated (adjective)

  1. consisting of parts intricately combined
  2. difficult to analyze, understand, or explain

Complicated (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated

    "a complicated apparatus"

    similar: baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute, involved, knotty, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled
    related: overcomplex, overcomplicated, composite, compound, heterogeneous, mixed, multibranched, multifaceted, multifarious, multipart, varied, challenging, difficult, tough, impenetrable, incomprehensible, inexplicable, Kafkaesque, unfathomable, unintelligible
    opposite: noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated
    near: oversimplified, simplified, simplistic, homogeneous, uniform, unvaried

  2. made or done with great care or with much detail

    "complicated plans for redeveloping the riverfront that involve both the private and public sectors"

    similar: complex, detailed, elaborate, fancy, intricate, involved, sophisticated
    related: elegant, exquisite, grand, magnificent, ornate, splendid, chichi, extravagant, exuberant, fancified, flamboyant, frilly, gimmicked (up), grandiose, ostentatious, overwrought, showy, souped-up, Byzantine, convoluted, involute, involuted, labyrinthian, labyrinthine
    opposite: no-frills, simple, unfancy, unsophisticated
    near: modest, plain, plain-Jane, plain-vanilla, uncomplicated, bald, bare, naked, unadorned, undecorated, unvarnished

Complicated (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make complex or difficult

    "the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule"

    similar: complexed, complexified, embarrassed, entangled, perplexed, sophisticated
    related: developed, elaborated, expanded, intensified, magnified, confounded, confused, messed (up), mixed (up), muddled, snarled, tangled
    opposite: simplified, streamlined
    near: abbreviated, cut, shortened, eased, facilitated, disentangled, straightened (out), unraveled, untangled, oversimplified

  2. to make more severe

    "asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis"

    similar: aggravated, exacerbated, worsened
    related: amplified, deepened, intensified, magnified
    opposite: allayed, alleviated, assuaged, eased, helped, mitigated, relieved
    near: ameliorated, bettered, improved

Related Entry: Complicate (verb)

Complicate is a different word from Complicated. The synonyms below are for complicate, not for complicated.

  1. to make complex or difficult

    "the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule"

    similar: complex, complexify, embarrass, entangle, perplex, sophisticate
    related: develop, elaborate, expand, intensify, magnify, confound, confuse, mess (up), mix (up), muddle, snarl, tangle
    opposite: simplify, streamline
    near: abbreviate, cut, shorten, ease, facilitate, disentangle, straighten (out), unravel, untangle, oversimplify

  2. to make more severe

    "asthma that has recently been complicated by a bout of bronchitis"

    similar: aggravate, exacerbate, worsen
    related: amplify, deepen, intensify, magnify
    opposite: allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, help, mitigate, relieve
    near: ameliorate, better, improve

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Complicated

The most common words with a similar meaning to Complicated:

baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute, involved, knotty, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled, detailed, fancy, complexed, complexified, embarrassed, entangled, perplexed, aggravated, exacerbated, worsened

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Complicated

Words with the opposite meaning of Complicated:

noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated, no-frills, unfancy, unsophisticated, simplified, streamlined, allayed, alleviated, assuaged, eased, helped, mitigated, relieved

Related Words for Complicated

overcomplex, overcomplicated, composite, compound, heterogeneous, mixed, multibranched, multifaceted, multifarious, multipart, varied, challenging, difficult, tough, impenetrable, incomprehensible, inexplicable, Kafkaesque, unfathomable, unintelligible, elegant, exquisite, grand, magnificent, ornate, splendid, chichi, extravagant, exuberant, fancified

Near Antonyms of Complicated

oversimplified, simplistic, homogeneous, uniform, unvaried, modest, plain-Jane, plain-vanilla, bald, bare, naked, unadorned, undecorated, unvarnished, abbreviated, cut, shortened, facilitated, disentangled, straightened (out), unraveled, untangled, ameliorated, bettered, improved

Word Forms of Complicated

Derived words: complicatedly (adverb), complicatedness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Complicated

from past participle of complicate:1

First known use: 1656

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Complicated

Frequently Asked Questions about Complicated

What does "Complicated" mean?

"Complicated" means consisting of parts intricately combined. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: consisting of parts intricately combined. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Complicated"?

Other words for "Complicated" include baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, convoluted, daedal, elaborate and intricate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Complicated" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Complicated"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Complicated". Common alternatives include baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute and involved.

What is the opposite of "Complicated"?

Antonyms of "Complicated" include noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated, no-frills, unfancy and unsophisticated. Near antonyms include oversimplified, simplistic, homogeneous and uniform.

How do you use "Complicated" in a sentence?

Examples of "Complicated" in a sentence: "a complicated apparatus"; "complicated plans for redeveloping the riverfront that involve both the private and public sectors"; "the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule".

Is "Complicated" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Complicated" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Complicated" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Complicated" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Complicated"?

"Complicated" is pronounced /ˈkäm-plə-ˌkā-təd/ and divided into syllables as com·pli·cat·ed.