complicationnoun
uk/ˌkɒm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/us/ˌkɑːm.pləˈkeɪ.ʃən/C1 [ C or U ] something that makes a situation more difficult, or the act of doing this:
Dave couldn't find his passport at the airport and then there were further complications when Fiona lost her baggage.
If any complications arise, let me know and I'll help.
C2 [ C ] an extra medical problem that makes it more difficult to treat an existing illness:
If there are no complications, the doctor says that she'll be able to come home within two weeks.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Difficult things and people
- a (heavy) cross to bear idiom
- a bitter pill (to swallow) idiom
- a hard/tough nut to crack idiom
- albatross
- bane
- chill
- equation
- handicap
- hiccup
- hot potato
- impediment
- job
- labyrinth
- liability
- nut
- the chill wind of sth idiom
- the hard way idiom
- the sharp end
- the/a devil of a sth idiom
- thorn in your flesh/side idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Disease & illness - general words