complexity
noun
com·plex·i·ty kəm-ˈplek-sə-tē 
käm-
plural complexities
1
: something complex
the complexities of the murder trial
2
: the quality or state of being complex
the complexity of the contract
Synonyms
- complexness
- complicacy
- complicatedness
- complication
- elaborateness
- intricacy
- intricateness
- involution
- knottiness
- sophistication
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He was impressed by the complexity of the music. The diagram illustrates the complexity of the cell's structure. He doesn't grasp the complexity of the situation.
Recent Examples on the Web Ben’s work passes muster, which lends Novak’s film merit, and adds another layer to the complexity of this film. 
Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2022 Adding to the complexity is that the usual central banking tool kit is not built for this situation. New York Times, 16 July 2022 Even in conversations with people who understand the complexity of that association, the Black artists who originally sang Presley's signature songs are rarely name-checked. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 30 June 2022 As organizations begin to explore the cultural and social nuances of the Disability Economy in more serious ways, the next step for leadership is to understand both the complexity and sophistication of what is needed to embrace its full potential. Jonathan Kaufman, Forbes, 24 June 2022 Yet the country, with its jarring colonial history, has a further claim to complexity. Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. Lauran Neergaard, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022 Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. Arkansas Online, 12 June 2022 Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. Lauran Neergaard, ajc, 10 June 2022 See More
Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2022 Adding to the complexity is that the usual central banking tool kit is not built for this situation. New York Times, 16 July 2022 Even in conversations with people who understand the complexity of that association, the Black artists who originally sang Presley's signature songs are rarely name-checked. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 30 June 2022 As organizations begin to explore the cultural and social nuances of the Disability Economy in more serious ways, the next step for leadership is to understand both the complexity and sophistication of what is needed to embrace its full potential. Jonathan Kaufman, Forbes, 24 June 2022 Yet the country, with its jarring colonial history, has a further claim to complexity. Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. Lauran Neergaard, BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2022 Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. Arkansas Online, 12 June 2022 Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. Lauran Neergaard, ajc, 10 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
complex entry 2 + -ity, perhaps after French complexité
First Known Use
1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
complexity
noun
com·plex·i·ty kəm-ˈplek-sə-tē
plural complexities
1
: the quality or condition of being difficult to understand or of lacking simplicity
the complexity of a problem
2
: something difficult to understand or lacking simplicity
the complexities of business
complexities
noun
as in complications
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult the political complexities that the secretary-general must deal with Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- complications
- difficulties
- intricacies
- convolutions
- headaches
- subtleties
- complicacies
- ramifications
- matters
- technicalities
- side effects
- aftereffects
- troubles
- flies in the ointment
- inconveniences
- side reactions
- annoyances
- bitches
- bothers