complicate
B2neutral
Definition
Meaning
to make something more difficult or complex; to introduce complications
to make a situation, process, or understanding less simple and clear; can also refer to a medical condition becoming more severe or involved
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often carries a negative connotation of making things unnecessarily harder, but can neutrally describe adding layers or factors. The adjective form 'complicated' is significantly more frequent than the verb.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains consistent.
Connotations
Identical negative/neutral connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
complicate + NP (direct object)complicate + mattersbe complicated by + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “complicate matters”
- “complicate the picture”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Often used regarding negotiations, contracts, or supply chains (e.g., 'New regulations will complicate our export process.').
Academic
Used to describe making a theory, argument, or model more intricate (e.g., 'The discovery complicates the existing timeline.').
Everyday
Common in discussions about plans, relationships, or tasks (e.g., 'Don't complicate things by inviting more people.').
Technical
In medicine, describes a condition worsening or involving other systems (e.g., 'The infection was complicated by sepsis.').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Adding a last-minute clause will only complicate the contract negotiations.
- Try not to complicate the instructions for the volunteers.
American English
- The new tax law is going to complicate filing for small businesses.
- Let's not complicate things by bringing up old arguments.
adverb
British English
- The plot unfolded complicatedly, with many twists.
- (Rare usage)
American English
- The situation evolved complicatedly over several months.
- (Rare usage)
adjective
British English
- The situation is more complicated than we first thought.
- She gave a complicated explanation for her lateness.
American English
- It's a complicated process with many approval steps.
- Their relationship has always been complicated.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Too many rules complicate the game.
- Please don't complicate my plans.
- The bad weather could complicate our travel arrangements.
- Her questions started to complicate the simple story.
- Introducing a third partner will only complicate the business deal.
- The patient's existing condition complicates the proposed treatment.
- Such ambiguous wording in the treaty complicates its interpretation under international law.
- The historian's new evidence complicates the previously accepted narrative of events.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMPlicated plate of food - adding too many ingredients COMPLICATEs the recipe and the eating experience.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLEXITY IS TANGLING/KNOTTING (e.g., 'complicate the issue', 'a tangled web of complications').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from сложный/усложнять. Russian часто uses 'делать сложным' where English prefers the single verb 'complicate'.
- Do not confuse 'complicate' (make complex) with 'compliment' (praise).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'This complicates to find a solution.' Correct: 'This complicates finding a solution.' / 'This complicates the search for a solution.'
- Incorrect: 'He complicated me.' (unless in rare medical context). Correct: 'He complicated matters for me.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest in meaning to 'complicate' in the sentence: 'The discovery of a new witness will complicate the trial.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, yes. It typically implies making something unnecessarily or undesirably more difficult. In neutral academic/technical contexts, it can simply mean 'add complexity' without a strong value judgement.
'Complexify' is a less common, more formal synonym, often used in scientific or philosophical contexts. 'Complicate' is the standard, everyday term and carries a stronger connotation of causing problems or difficulties.
No, this is incorrect. The verb is transitive and requires a direct object that is the thing being made complex (e.g., matters, situation, life). You complicate things *for* someone, not *someone*.
The adjective 'complicated' is far more frequent in everyday language (e.g., 'a complicated relationship', 'it's complicated'). The verb is used less often, usually when focusing on the *action* of making something complex.