A complex or confusing situation; an intricate system; a situation or condition from which it is difficult to extricate oneself; an entanglement.

= perplexity, n. (in various senses).

In extended use: a complex network of paths or streets; a bewildering mass of things (material or immaterial), in which the individual components…

An intricately involved or confused state of an affair, matter, etc.; complexity; (also) an instance of this; a circumstance or aspect that…

quasi-concrete. An instance of this condition; a complication; an entangled or involved state of affairs; a perplexing difficulty.

= intrigue, n.

figurative. An intricate or complicated state of affairs; an involved mode of action. Obsolete.

An intricacy; a maze.

wheels within wheels, less usually a wheel within a wheel (after Ezekiel i. 16): a complexity of forces or influences; a complication of motives…

A state of great confusion and entanglement; a complicated or difficult situation (esp. political or dramatic); a confused misunderstanding or…

An involved or entangled condition, manner, or style; complicated state of affairs, imbroglio.

figurative and in figurative contexts: a confused or disordered situation or series of events.

euphemistic or colloquial (originally U.S.). A difficult, troubling, or problematic state of affairs or set of circumstances, typically one that…