Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The act of complicating.
- noun A confused or intricate relationship of parts.
- noun A factor, condition, or element that complicates.
- noun Medicine A secondary disease, an accident, or a negative reaction occurring during the course of an illness and usually aggravating the illness.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun In psychology, the simultaneous association of perceptions or ideas of different senses.
- noun A complex combination or intricate intermingling of things, parts, elements, etc.; especially, a perplexing or incongruous intermixture or combination; a confused complex or complexity: as, a complication of knots in a rope; a complication of ideas, diseases, or misfortunes; the complication of one's affairs with those of another.
- noun That which renders complex, involved, or intricate; that which causes difficulty, entanglement, or interference; an involved and troublesome or embarrassing state of affairs.
- noun An entwining or infolding; an embrace.
- noun In entomology, the manner in which an insect folds its wings when at rest.
- noun In biology, a process the reverse of growth or development, by which the heterogeneous tends toward homogeneity.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The act or process of complicating; the state of being complicated; intricate or confused relation of parts; entanglement; complexity.
- noun (Med.) A disease or diseases, or adventitious circumstances or conditions, coexistent with and modifying a primary disease, but not necessarily connected with it.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun The act or process of
complicating ; the state of beingcomplicated ;intricate orconfused relation of parts;entanglement ;complexity . - noun A person who doesn't fit in with the main scheme of things; an interloper; someone you need to placate.
- noun medicine A
disease or diseases, oradventitious circumstances or conditions, coexistent with and modifying aprimary disease, but not necessarily connected with it. - noun A feature beyond basic time display in a timepiece.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun puzzling complexity
- noun a situation or condition that is complex or confused
- noun any disease or disorder that occurs during the course of (or because of) another disease
- noun the act or process of complicating
- noun a development that complicates a situation
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word complication.
Examples
-
Another complication is ascites, which is a collection of fluid in the belly.
-
A further complication is a deadlock over the division of oil revenues.
China Courts Secessionists in Sudan, Breaking a Mold Joe Lauria 2010
-
This complication is all the more tragic because most of these children have an isolated anomaly and do well after postnatal resection.
-
Adding to the complication is the fact that I do work for a Christian non-profit and replacing me would be tricky for them (not because I am so uniquely talented but because they have invested time in training me and have limited resources to pay staff).
-
Another complication is the number of years each country will serve on the Council.
Human rights are safe in their hands Helen 2006
-
Another complication is the development of strains of bacteria that become more and more resistant to streptomycin.
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1952 - Presentation Speech 1964
-
Risk of pregnancy complication is related to the size of the abnormal fetus.
Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence and Bipolar Cord 2010
-
Another complication is that laptops usually have a hidden partition to provide a "recovery" feature, so that you can easily restore your PC to the factory condition.
When your C: drive is full and D: is still empty… Jack Schofield 2010
-
An additional complication is the fact that some Senate seats currently held by Democratic appointees may be immediately re-filled with Republicans, who have been steadfast in opposition to reauthorizing the benefits without massive spending cuts elsewhere in the budget.
RUINING CHRISTMAS: 1.2 Million Will Lose Benefits By Year's End Unless Congress Acts The Huffington Post News Team 2010
-
An added complication is that assets tests are applied.
Related Words
synonyms (202)
Words with the same meaning
- abnormality
- abstruseness
- action
- acute disease
- affection
- affliction
- ailment
- allergic disease
- allergy
- anagnorisis
- angle
- architectonics
- architecture
- arduousness
- argument
- atmosphere
- atrophy
- background
- bacterial disease
- bind
- birth defect
- blight
- bothersomeness
- burdensomeness
- cardiovascular disease
- catastrophe
- characterization
- chronic disease
- circulatory disease
- clutch
- color
- complaint
- complexity
- complexness
- condition
- congenital defect
- continuity
- contrivance
- convolution
- crabbedness
- crampedness
- crunch
- deepness
- defect
- deficiency disease
- deformity
- degenerative disease
- denouement
- design
- development
- device
- difficultness
- difficulty
- dilemma
- disability
- disease
- disorder
- distemper
- drawback
- embarrassing position
- embarrassment
- endemic
- endemic disease
- endocrine disease
- entanglement
- epidemic disease
- episode
- esoterica
- fable
- falling action
- fine how-do-you-do
- functional disease
- fungus disease
- gastrointestinal disease
- genetic disease
- gimmick
- hairiness
- handicap
- hardness
- hell to pay
- hereditary disease
- hobble
- hot water
- how-do-you-do
- iatrogenic disease
- illness
- imbroglio
- incident
- indisposition
- infectious disease
- infirmity
- intricacy
- intricateness
- involution
- involvement
- jam
- knottiness
- laboriousness
- line
- local color
- malady
- malaise
- mess
- mix
- mood
- morass
- morbidity
- morbus
- motif
- movement
- muscular disease
- mythos
- neurological disease
- nutritional disease
- obstacle
- obstruction
- occupational disease
- onerousness
- oppressiveness
- organic disease
- pandemic disease
- parlous straits
- pass
- pathological condition
- pathology
- peripeteia
- perplexity
- pickle
- pinch
- plan
- plant disease
- plight
- plot
- predicament
- pretty pass
- pretty pickle
- pretty predicament
- problem
- profoundness
- profundity
- protozoan disease
- psychosomatic disease
- quagmire
- quicksand
- ramification
- recognition
- reconditeness
- respiratory disease
- rigor
- rigorousness
- rising action
- rockiness
- ruggedness
- scheme
- scrape
- secondary disease
- secondary plot
- seediness
- sickishness
- sickness
- signs
- slant
- slough
- snag
- spot
- squeeze
- stew
- sticky wicket
- story
- strait
- straits
- strenuousness
- structure
- subject
- subplot
- subtlety
- swamp
- switch
- symptomatology
- symptomology
- symptoms
- syndrome
- tanglement
- technicality
- the pip
- thematic development
- theme
- tight spot
- tight squeeze
- tightrope
- toilsomeness
- tone
- topic
- toughness
- tricky spot
- troublesomeness
- twist
- unholy mess
- urogenital disease
- virus disease
- wasting disease
- worm disease
hypernyms (9)
Words that are more generic or abstract
same context (19)
Words that are found in similar contexts
cross-references (1)
Cross-references
rhymes (786)
Words with the same terminal sound
- Alsatian
- Americanization
- Appalachian
- Balkanization
- Christianization
- Confederation
- Corp.
- Croatian
- Dalmatian
- Desegregation
- Finlandization
- Haitian
- Horatian
- Incarnation
- Islamization
- Japanimation
- Nation
- Plantation
- Reformation
- Revelation
- Russification
- Tribulation
- Visitation
- abbreviation
- abdication
- aberration
- abomination
- abrogation
- acceleration
- acclamation
- acclimation
- accommodation
- accreditation
- accumulation
- accusation
- acidification
- activation
- adaptation
- adjudication
- administration
- admiration
- adoration
- adulation
- adulteration
- advocation
- affectation
- affiliation
- affirmation
- affrication
- agglomeration
- aggravation
- agitation
- alienation
- allegation
- alleviation
- allocation
- alphabetization
- alsatian
- alteration
- altercation
- amalgamation
- amelioration
- amortization
- amplification
- amputation
- animation
- annexation
- annihilation
- annotation
- anticipation
- antidiscrimination
- appellation
- application
- appreciation
- approbation
- appropriation
- approximation
- arbitration
- argumentation
- articulation
- aspiration
- assassination
- assimilation
- association
- augmentation
- authentication
- authorization
- automation
- aviation
- avocation
- backwardation
- balkanization
- bifurcation
- calculation
- calibration
- cancellation
- cannibalization
- canonization
- capitalization
- capitulation
- carnation
- castration
- categorization
- causation
- cauterization
- celebration
- centralization
- certification
- cessation
- cetacean
- characterization
- citation
- civilization
- clarification
- classification
- coagulation
- codification
- cogeneration
- cogitation
- cohabitation
- collaboration
- collectivization
- collocation
- colonization
- coloration
- colorization
- combination
- commemoration
- commendation
- commercialization
- communication
- communization
- commutation
- compensation
- compilation
- computation
- computerization
- concatenation
- concentration
- conciliation
- condemnation
- condensation
- confabulation
- confederation
- configuration
- confirmation
- confiscation
- conflagration
- conflation
- confrontation
- conglomeration
- congratulation
- congregation
- conjugation
- connotation
- consecration
- conservation
- consideration
- consolation
- consolidation
- constellation
- consternation
- constipation
- consultation
- consummation
- contamination
- contemplation
- continuation
- conversation
- convocation
- cooperation
- coordination
- coronation
- corp.
- corporation
- correlation
- corroboration
- creation
- cremation
- criminalization
- crustacean
- culmination
- cultivation
- dalmatian
- damnation
- decapitation
- deceleration
- decentralization
- decertification
- declaration
- decontamination
- decoration
- decriminalization
- dedication
- defamation
- deflation
- deforestation
- deformation
- degeneration
- degradation
- dehumanization
- dehydration
- deification
- deinstitutionalization
- delegation
- deliberation
- delineation
- demarcation
- demilitarization
- demobilization
- democratization
- demodulation
- demonization
- demonstration
- demoralization
- denationalization
- denomination
- denuclearization
- denunciation
- deportation
- depravation
- depreciation
- depredation
- deprivation
- deregulation
- derivation
- desalination
- desalinization
- desecration
- desegregation
- desiccation
- designation
- desolation
- desperation
- destabilization
- destination
- determination
- detonation
- detoxication
- detoxification
- devaluation
- devastation
- deviation
- dictation
- differentiation
- dilatation
- dilation
- discoloration
- discontinuation
- discrimination
- disembarkation
- disinclination
- disinflation
- disinformation
- disintegration
- dislocation
- disorganization
- disorientation
- dispensation
- disputation
- disqualification
- dissemination
- dissertation
- dissipation
- dissociation
- distillation
- diversification
- divination
- documentation
- domestication
- domination
- donation
- dramatization
- duplication
- duration
- echolocation
- edification
- education
- ejaculation
- elaboration
- elation
- electrification
- elevation
- elimination
- elongation
- emanation
- emancipation
- embarkation
- emigration
- emulation
- enumeration
- equalization
- equitation
- equivocation
- eradication
- escalation
- estimation
- evacuation
- evaluation
- evaporation
- evocation
- exacerbation
- exaggeration
- examination
- exasperation
- excavation
- excitation
- exclamation
- excommunication
- exfoliation
- exhalation
- exhilaration
- exhortation
- exhumation
- exoneration
- expatriation
- expectation
- experimentation
- expiration
- explanation
- explication
- exploitation
- exploration
- expropriation
- extermination
- extrapolation
- extrication
- fabrication
- facilitation
- falsification
- fascination
- federation
- fermentation
- fertilization
- fibrillation
- figuration
- filtration
- fixation
- flirtation
- flotation
- fluctuation
- fluoridation
- foliation
- formation
- formulation
- fortification
- foundation
- fragmentation
- frustration
- fumigation
- gasification
- gastrulation
- generalization
- generation
- gentrification
- germination
- gestation
- glaciation
- globalization
- glorification
- gradation
- graduation
- granulation
- gratification
- gravitation
- gyration
- habitation
- hallucination
- harmonization
- hesitation
- hibernation
- hospitalization
- humiliation
- hybridization
- hydration
- hydrogenation
- hyperinflation
- hyphenation
- ideation
- identification
- illumination
- illustration
- imagination
- imitation
- immigration
- immunization
- impersonation
- implantation
- implementation
- implication
- importation
- impregnation
- improvisation
- imputation
- inactivation
- inauguration
- incantation
- incapacitation
- incarceration
- incarnation
- inclination
- incoordination
- incorporation
- incrimination
- incrustation
- incubation
- indemnification
- indentation
- indexation
- indication
- indignation
- indoctrination
- industrialization
- infatuation
- infestation
- infiltration
- inflammation
- inflation
- information
- inhabitation
- inhalation
- initiation
- innovation
- inoculation
- insemination
- insinuation
- inspiration
- installation
- instantiation
- instigation
- institutionalization
- instrumentation
- insubordination
- insulation
- integration
- intensification
- internationalization
- interpretation
- interrogation
- intimation
- intimidation
- intonation
- intoxication
- inundation
- invalidation
- investigation
- invitation
- invocation
- ionization
- irradiation
- irrigation
- irritation
- isolation
- jubilation
- justification
- laceration
- lactation
- legalization
- legislation
- levitation
- liberalization
- liberation
- libration
- ligation
- limitation
- liquidation
- litigation
- localization
- location
- lubrication
- machination
- magnetization
- magnification
- malformation
- manifestation
- manipulation
- marginalization
- masturbation
- maturation
- maximization
- mechanization
- mediation
- medication
- meditation
- menstruation
- migration
- mineralization
- miniaturization
- ministration
- misallocation
- misapplication
- misappropriation
- miscalculation
- mischaracterization
- miscommunication
- miscreation
- miseration
- misidentification
- misinformation
- misinterpretation
- misrepresentation
- mitigation
- mobilization
- moderation
- modernization
- modification
- modulation
- molestation
- monopolization
- motivation
- multiplication
- mummification
- mutation
- mutilation
- narration
- nation
- nationalization
- naturalization
- navigation
- negation
- negotiation
- neutralization
- nitration
- nomination
- nondiscrimination
- nonproliferation
- normalization
- notation
- notification
- nucleation
- nullification
- obfuscation
- obligation
- obliteration
- observation
- occupation
- operation
- optation
- optimization
- oration
- orchestration
- ordination
- organisation
- organization
- orientation
- origination
- ornamentation
- oscillation
- ossification
- ostentation
- ovation
- overpopulation
- overregulation
- overvaluation
- ovulation
- oxidation
- pacification
- pagination
- palpitation
- participation
- pasteurization
- penetration
- perforation
- permutation
- perpetuation
- personalization
- personification
- perspiration
- perturbation
- pigmentation
- plantation
- polarization
- politicization
- pollination
- polymerization
- pontification
- popularization
- population
- precipitation
- predation
- predestination
- prefabrication
- premeditation
- preoccupation
- preparation
- presentation
- preservation
- pressurization
- prestidigitation
- prevarication
- privation
- privatisation
- privatization
- probation
- proclamation
- procrastination
- procreation
- profanation
- prognostication
- proliferation
- pronunciation
- propagation
- proration
- prostration
- protestation
- provocation
- publication
- punctuation
- purification
- qualification
- quantification
- quotation
- radiation
- radicalization
- ramification
- ratification
- ration
- rationalization
- reaffiliation
- reaffirmation
- realization
- reallocation
- reauthorization
- recalculation
- recantation
- recapitalization
- recertification
- recitation
- reclamation
- reclassification
- recommendation
- reconciliation
- reconfiguration
- reconfirmation
- reconsideration
- recreation
- recrimination
- rectification
- recuperation
- redecoration
- rededication
- reevaluation
- reexamination
- reflation
- reforestation
- reformation
- refrigeration
- refutation
- regeneration
- regimentation
- registration
- regulation
- rehabilitation
- rehydration
- reincarnation
- reincorporation
- reinterpretation
- reinvigoration
- reiteration
- rejuvenation
- relation
- relaxation
- relocation
- remediation
- remuneration
- renationalization
- renegotiation
- renomination
- renovation
- renunciation
- reorganization
- reparation
- repatriation
- replication
- representation
- repudiation
- reputation
- reregulation
- reservation
- resignation
- respiration
- restoration
- resuscitation
- retaliation
- retardation
- reunification
- revaluation
- revelation
- reverberation
- revitalization
- revocation
- rotation
- rumination
- russification
- salvation
- sanctification
- sanitation
- saponification
- sarmatian
- saturation
- securitization
- sedation
- sedimentation
- segmentation
- segregation
- self-congratulation
- self-determination
- sensation
- separation
- sequestration
- simplification
- simulation
- singularization
- situation
- socialization
- solicitation
- sophistication
- specialization
- specification
- speculation
- stabilization
- stagflation
- stagnation
- stalinization
- standardization
- starvation
- station
- sterilization
- stimulation
- stipulation
- strangulation
- subluxation
- subordination
- subsidization
- substantiation
- suburbanization
- suffocation
- summation
- superstation
- surrogation
- synchronization
- syndication
- tabloidization
- tabulation
- taxation
- telecommunication
- temptation
- termination
- titillation
- toleration
- transformation
- transillumination
- translation
- transplantation
- transportation
- trepidation
- triangulation
- tribulation
- ulceration
- undervaluation
- unification
- unionization
- urbanization
- usurpation
- utilization
- vacation
- vaccination
- vacillation
- validation
- valuation
- vaporization
- variation
- vegetation
- veneration
- ventilation
- verification
- vibration
- victimization
- vilification
- vindication
- violation
- visitation
- visualization
- vocation
- vulgarization
- westernization
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.