Meaning & use

complication

noun·Everyday

Last updated

A factor or event that makes a situation more difficult or complex, or a secondary problem that arises during an illness or medical procedure.

See it in a sentence

The merger hit an unexpected complication when regulators raised antitrust concerns.

Doctors monitored her closely for any complications following the surgery.

A note on using this word

Frequently used in medical contexts to describe a secondary issue arising from an illness or treatment, distinct from its more general everyday use.

Words with a similar meaning

difficultyproblem

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Words with an opposite meaning

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