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

  • compliquer les choses — to complicate matters
  • se compliquer la vie — to make life difficult for oneself
  • la situation se complique — the situation is becoming more complicated

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Examples

Nous ne devons rien compliquer.verb

We must not complicate anything.

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