Complicate and Simplify

Complicate

Complicate verb - To make complex or difficult.
Usage example: the need to go to both a PTA conference and condo board meeting really complicates tonight's schedule

Simplify is an antonym for complicate in make difficult topic.

Simplify

Simplify verb - To make less complex.
Usage example: you need to simplify this process somewhat or you'll never finish it today

Complicate is an antonym for simplify in make easy topic.

Common collocations

life complicate life simplify life
process complicate process simplify process
problem complicate problem simplify problem
plot complicate plot simplify plot
Other words: system, issue, situation, bit, game, story, battle, mechanics, matters, plots, lives, dodecahedron.
Cite this Source
Simplify and Complicate. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/complicate/simplify
Complicate & Simplify. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/complicate/simplify>.
Simplify or Complicate. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/complicate/simplify.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "complicate" and "simplify" have occurred on timeline