complication
noun
com·pli·ca·tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən 
1
a
: complexity, intricacy
especially : a situation or a detail of character complicating the main thread of a plot
b
: a making difficult, involved, or intricate
c
: a complex or intricate feature or element
d
: a difficult factor or issue often appearing unexpectedly and changing existing plans, methods, or attitudes
2
: a secondary disease or condition developing in the course of a primary disease or condition
Synonyms
- complexity
- complicacy
- convolution
- difficulty
- intricacy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The negotiations stalled when complications arose. Pneumonia is a common complication of AIDS. She experienced complications during her pregnancy. The patient died of complications from surgery.
Recent Examples on the Web One complication of the slew of requests is how widely records laws vary from state to state. 
Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 One other complication displays your car’s mileage. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2022 Most bites typically heal within three weeks without complication. al, 28 June 2022 Democrats hope to replace the 83-year-old liberal justice without complication, and some Republicans may be willing to support a Biden nominee. Mary Clare Jalonick And Lisa Mascaro, Chron, 27 Jan. 2022 But a serious complication arises if a third body is introduced. WIRED, 30 Aug. 2022 Doctors are left to decide, in the heat of the moment, whether a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication like preeclampsia qualifies for an exception under the new law. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Now, a stunning whistleblower disclosure from the company's former security lead Peiter Zatko is almost certain to become the latest complication. Clare Duffy, CNN, 23 Aug. 2022 And what’s the difference between a bout of brain fog and a potentially fatal post-COVID complication? Erin Prater, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2022 See More
Patrick Marley, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2022 One other complication displays your car’s mileage. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2022 Most bites typically heal within three weeks without complication. al, 28 June 2022 Democrats hope to replace the 83-year-old liberal justice without complication, and some Republicans may be willing to support a Biden nominee. Mary Clare Jalonick And Lisa Mascaro, Chron, 27 Jan. 2022 But a serious complication arises if a third body is introduced. WIRED, 30 Aug. 2022 Doctors are left to decide, in the heat of the moment, whether a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication like preeclampsia qualifies for an exception under the new law. Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 Now, a stunning whistleblower disclosure from the company's former security lead Peiter Zatko is almost certain to become the latest complication. Clare Duffy, CNN, 23 Aug. 2022 And what’s the difference between a bout of brain fog and a potentially fatal post-COVID complication? Erin Prater, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English complicacioun, borrowed from Late Latin complicātiōn-, complicātiō "folding together, conglomeration," from Latin complicāre "to fold together, fold up" + -tiōn- ,-tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at complicate entry 2
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
complication
noun
com·pli·ca·tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən
: something that makes a situation more difficult
Medical Definition
complication
noun
com·pli·ca·tion ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən
: a secondary disease or condition that develops in the course of a primary disease or condition and arises either as a result of it or from independent causes
complication
noun
1
as in difficulty
something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult the food allergies of the guests were just another complication for the couple trying to plan their wedding reception Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- difficulty
- complexity
- headache
- intricacy
- convolution
- complicacy
- ramification
- matter
- trouble
- annoyance
- side effect
- inconvenience
- subtlety
- aftereffect
- technicality
- fly in the ointment
- side reaction
- bitch
- bother
2
as in disease
an abnormal state that disrupts a plant's or animal's normal bodily functioning complications set in after the surgery Synonyms & Similar Words
- disease
- ailment
- illness
- disorder
- condition
- ill
- infection
- fever
- sickness
- bug
- malady
- attack
- trouble
- infirmity
- complaint
- ail
- plague
- distemper
- affection
- distemperature
- contagion
- contagious disease
- unsoundness
- lameness
- debility
- bout
- feebleness
- epidemic
- sickliness
- unhealthiness
- weakness
- matter
- malaise
- decrepitude
- spell
- unwellness
- pestilence
- contagium
- pip
- frailness
- fit
- pest
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- health
- wellness
- robustness
- soundness
- fitness
- wholeness
- wholesomeness
- shape
- heartiness
- healthiness
- fettle
3
as in complexity
the state or quality of having many interrelated parts or aspects a problem of such irreducible complication as to defy any easy solution Synonyms & Similar Words
- complexity
- complexness
- complicatedness
- sophistication
- involution
- elaborateness
- intricacy
- heterogeneity
- complicacy
- knottiness
- intricateness
- inexplicability
- multifariousness
- incomprehensibility
- impenetrability
- heterogeneousness
- diversity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- simplicity
- simplification
- uniformity
- plainness
- simpleness
- homogeneity