complicate

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To make complex; to modify so as to make something intricate or difficult.
2. (transitive) To involve in a convoluted matter.

Adj

1. (obsolete) Intertwined.
2. (archaic, poetic) Complex, complicated.

Synonyms

confuse

make difficult

aggravate

entangle

tangle

be complex

involve

obstruct

perplex

mix

puzzle

muddle

rarify

hinder

turn into a mess

enmesh

complexify

spoil

jumble

knead

elaborate

refine

embarrass

ruin

sophisticate

strengthen

stymie

stymy

tangled

trouble

twist

web

worsen

be intricate

throw into confusion

cause difficulties

to be complex

make hard

annoy

baffle

bedevil

bemuse

bewilder

confound

convolute

difficult

disorder

embroil

encumber

entwine

Translations

compliquer

complicar

complicare

compliceren

complicar

komplizieren

complicar

erschweren

ingewikkeld maken

περιπλέκω

aggravare

karıştırmak

μπερδεύω

verkomplizieren

zorlaştırmak

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈkɑmplɪkeɪt/

Etymology

First attested in the early 17ᵗʰ century; borrowed from Latin complicātus, perfect passive participle of complicō (“to fold together”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from con- (“together”) + plicō (“to fold, weave, knit”); see plaid, and compare complex. See also Middle English complicate (“involved”).