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
Examples of complication in a Sentence
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
Betts reconciled with Allman before the singer-keyboardist’s death from liver cancer complications from in 2017, and attended his funeral.
—
Variety, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
The infrastructure problems at Glen Canyon Dam add another layer of complications and uncertainty.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Subsequently, Conason adds, there is a dangerous potential for BED to then morph into anorexia, starving oneself with possibly life-threatening complications.
—Cole Kazdin, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
When your body does not have enough insulin, your blood sugar rises and leaves you at risk for developing serious complications if left untreated.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 16 Apr. 2024
Insulin therapy may also be responsible, at least in part, for diabetic complications—atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, for instance.
—Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
Grumpy Cat died in 2019 at the age of 7 following complications from a urinary tract infection.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
While a handful of brands will still sell you a thick, 44 mm hockey puck stuffed with complications, there’s a definite shift among discerning collectors for smaller, dressier, and more elegant timepieces.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2024
His death, from complications of chronic respiratory disease, was announced by Griffin Cloudwalker, a friend.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Variety, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024
The infrastructure problems at Glen Canyon Dam add another layer of complications and uncertainty.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024
Subsequently, Conason adds, there is a dangerous potential for BED to then morph into anorexia, starving oneself with possibly life-threatening complications.
—Cole Kazdin, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
When your body does not have enough insulin, your blood sugar rises and leaves you at risk for developing serious complications if left untreated.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 16 Apr. 2024
Insulin therapy may also be responsible, at least in part, for diabetic complications—atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, for instance.
—Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
Grumpy Cat died in 2019 at the age of 7 following complications from a urinary tract infection.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
While a handful of brands will still sell you a thick, 44 mm hockey puck stuffed with complications, there’s a definite shift among discerning collectors for smaller, dressier, and more elegant timepieces.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 13 Apr. 2024
His death, from complications of chronic respiratory disease, was announced by Griffin Cloudwalker, a friend.
—Penelope Green, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near complication
Cite this Entry
“Complication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complication. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
complication
noun
com·pli·ca·tion
ˌkäm-plə-ˈkā-shən
1
a
: an act or instance of complicating something
b
: a situation or detail of character that complicates a plot
c
: a complex feature or element
d
: something that makes a situation more complicated or difficult
we were unable to agree when complications arose
2
: a disease or bodily condition existing at the same time as and affecting the course or severity of another disease or condition
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
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