Complicate

To make something more complex, intricate, or difficult to understand or deal with; to involve (something) in a complex or entangled situation. This often includes introducing new factors, relationships, or requirements that hinder simplicity. The act of complicating often increases the level of challenge or difficulty in achieving a desired outcome, solution, or understanding. It usually deviates from the norm or introduces an extra layer of the situation.

Complicate meaning with examples

• The new regulations served to complicate the already cumbersome tax filing process. Citizens struggled to understand the new laws, resulting in increased anxiety. The additional forms and nuanced guidelines further complicated the task, leading to delays and mistakes for many.
• Her sudden confession threatened to complicate their carefully crafted plan. The revelation altered all the relationships between each character and their intentions. This unexpected twist introduced doubt and ambiguity to the pre-made framework, potentially ruining everything that was previously prepared.
• Attempting to fix the antique clock would complicate the issue if you didn't understand its mechanisms. This extra layer of complexity would worsen the situation as you risk making the condition worse, further damaging the antique, turning a simple fix into an intricate project.
• The introduction of a foreign power would complicate the already fragile political situation. Their involvement would introduce an unstable element into the process, altering alliances and increasing the potential for conflict and uncertainty in the current situation.