verb
compliquer
complicate
Definition & meaning
Compliquer means to complicate: to make something more difficult, involved, or confusing.
- Cette décision complique la situation. — This decision complicates the situation.
- Ne complique pas les choses. — Don’t make things more complicated.
In the pronominal form, se compliquer , it means to become complicated or, in a medical context, to develop complications.
Grammar & Word origin
Compliquer is a regular -er verb. It is usually transitive, taking a direct object: compliquer une tâche — to complicate a task.
It comes from Latin complicare, meaning “to fold together.” Its parts trace back to com- (“together”) and a root meaning “to fold.”
Synonyms & antonyms
- complexifier — to make more complex; often emphasizes increasing complexity rather than simply making something harder.
- embrouiller — to confuse or muddle; emphasizes a lack of clarity.
- simplifier — to simplify; the most direct antonym.
- faciliter — to make easier; emphasizes reducing difficulty rather than complexity.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Nous ne devons rien compliquer.verb
We must not complicate anything.
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