A complication is a problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with.
The age difference was a complication to the relationship. [+ to]
An added complication is the growing concern for the environment.
Synonyms: problem, difficulty, obstacle, drawback More Synonyms of complication
2. countable noun
A complication is a medical problem that occurs as a result of another illness or disease.
Blindness is a common complication of diabetes. [+ of]
He died of complications from a heart attack. [+ from]
More Synonyms of complication
complication in British English
(ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən)
noun
1.
a condition, event, etc, that is complex or confused
2.
the act or process of complicating
3.
a situation, event, or condition that complicates or frustrates
her coming was a serious complication
4.
a disease or disorder arising as a consequence of another disease
complication in American English
(ˌkɑmplɪˈkeɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of complicating, or making involved
2.
a complicated condition or structure; complex, involved, or confused relationship of parts
3.
a complicating factor or occurrence as in the plot of a story or in the unfolding of events
4. Medicine
a second disease or abnormal condition occurring during the course of a primary disease
Examples of 'complication' in a sentence
complication
There was an added complication at the end.
Christianity Today (2000)
Tests on mice show it also reduces potential complications from the disease.
The Sun (2012)
We have already established a further complication to this encounter.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But four per cent had chronic problems and complications that lingered for years.
The Sun (2015)
Yesterday she was in a serious condition due to complications from the delivery.
The Sun (2013)
Many need help with disease complications or treatment side effects.
The Sun (2015)
Another complication is the complex politics of the area.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This last example highlights a further complication.
Blinkhorn, Martin (ed) Fascists and Conservatives (1990)
Experts say it helps control the condition and reduces complications.
The Sun (2014)
The journey from childhood to adulthood is tortuous enough without the added complication of geopolitical catastrophe.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
Another complication is a growing revolt on the streets.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There may be further complications which can be sorted out too.
Wilkinson, Helena Beyond Chaotic Eating (1993)
England have the added complication of food poisoning sweeping the camp.
The Sun (2011)
Another complication in pay gap figures is that jobs are not directly compared.
The Sun (2014)
Around ten per cent of its budget goes on treating the disease and complications such as blindness and heart disease.
The Sun (2008)
These difficulties are a common complication of a Caesarean.
The Sun (2012)
Long-term complications include heart disease, blindness and nerve damage.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I have been in hospital because of problems following a complication from a throat operation.
The Sun (2016)
He had been admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties and passed away early yesterday after suffering from complications of the condition he had battled for 32 years.
The Sun (2016)
A bone marrow transplant cured the problem, but complications followed with his heart, which meant more surgery.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
complication
British English: complication /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən/ NOUN
A complication is a problem or difficulty.
Luckily, she recovered without complications.
American English: complication
Arabic: تَعْقِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: complicação
Chinese: 复杂化
Croatian: komplikacija
Czech: komplikace
Danish: komplikation
Dutch: complicatie
European Spanish: complicación complejidad
Finnish: hankaluus ongelma
French: complication
German: Komplikation
Greek: περιπλοκή
Italian: complicazione
Japanese: 複雑な要因
Korean: 골칫거리
Norwegian: forvikling
Polish: powikłanie
European Portuguese: complicação
Romanian: complicație
Russian: затруднение
Latin American Spanish: complicación
Swedish: komplikation
Thai: การทำให้ยุ่งยาก
Turkish: zorluk
Ukrainian: ускладнення
Vietnamese: sự phức tạp
Chinese translation of 'complication'
complication
(kɔmplɪˈkeɪʃən)
n
(c/u) (= problem) 问(問)题(題) (wèntí)
(c) (Med) 并(並)发(發)症 (bìngfāzhèng)
1 (noun)
Definition
something which makes a situation more difficult to deal with
The age difference was a complication to the relationship.
Synonyms
problem
the economic problems of the inner city
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
obstacle
Overcrowding remains a large obstacle to improving conditions.
drawback
The only drawback was that the apartment was too small.
snag
A police crackdown hit a snag when villains stole one of their cars.
uphill (South Africa)
This job has been a real uphill.
stumbling block
Perhaps the major stumbling block is the military presence.
aggravation
2 (noun)
Her poetry was characterised by a complication of imagery and ideas.
Synonyms
complexity
a diplomatic problem of great complexity
combination
A combination of factors are to blame.
mixture
a mixture between Reggae, Bhangra, and Soul fusion
web
confusion
intricacy
Garments are priced according to the intricacy of the work.
entanglement
trying to do his job without the usual bureaucratic entanglements
Additional synonyms
in the sense of combination
Definition
people or things combined
A combination of factors are to blame.
Synonyms
mixture,
mix,
compound,
blend,
composite,
amalgam,
amalgamation,
meld,
coalescence
in the sense of difficulty
Definition
an objection or obstacle
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
Synonyms
problem,
trouble,
obstacle,
hurdle,
dilemma,
hazard,
complication,
hassle (informal),
snag,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
pitfall,
stumbling block,
impediment,
hindrance,
tribulation,
quandary,
can of worms (informal),
point at issue,
disputed point
in the sense of drawback
Definition
a disadvantage or hindrance
The only drawback was that the apartment was too small.