intricate
adjective
Synonyms
- baroque
- byzantine
- complex
- complicate
- complicated
- convoluted
- daedal
- elaborate
- involute
- involved
- knotty
- labyrinthian
- labyrinthine
- sophisticated
- tangled
Example Sentences
Jeanne Rhodes-Moen, Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Fall 2007 Tsunami generation involves intricate interactions among earthquakes, landslides, and "sympathetic" vibrations between the quake and the ocean above it. Robert Koenig, Science, 17 Aug. 2001 However, other random processes can be quite intricate; for example, the fluctuating prices of stocks are difficult to explain because there are so many variables and combinations of variables that are influencing the prices. Lloyd Jaisingh, Statistics for the Utterly Confused, 2000 The movie has an intricate plot. an intricate machine that requires some training to use it properly Hailey Rein, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2022 The intricate blue-green design that decorates the face resembles New Zealand Maori war paint, which is the root of its alternative name, the Maori Wrasse. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022 The 100 Karbovantsiv note issued that year features an intricate design with text in four languages: Ukrainian, Polish, Russian and Yiddish. Ellen Feingold, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 July 2022 One artisan normally responsible for silkscreening scarves in Lyon, France took 30 minutes and over a dozen screens to achieve an intricate design featuring three giraffes against a melange of flora. Ann Binlot, Town & Country, 16 June 2022 If there's an intricate design, like every nail with a different design, that could take up to twelve hours. Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 27 Apr. 2022 The intricate design — often seen in the scars of people who’ve been struck by lightning — resembles tree branches, lightning bolts or ferns. Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2022 The look was complemented with layers of silver jewelry, including a thin intricate chain draped across her pregnant belly. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 14 Mar. 2022 On top of that, the intricate supply chain has been strained to the breaking point to keep products flowing from overseas factories to American doorsteps. Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2021 See More Word History
Middle English, from Latin intricatus, past participle of intricare to entangle, from in- + tricae trifles, complications
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
intricate
adjective
intricate
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- complicated
- complex
- complicate
- sophisticated
- convoluted
- elaborate
- byzantine
- tangled
- labyrinthine
- involved
- baroque
- labyrinthian
- knotty
- varied
- difficult
- daedal
- multifaceted
- involute
- multifarious
- challenging
- heterogeneous
- overcomplicated
- composite
- mixed
- compound
- overcomplex
- multipart
- incomprehensible
- inexplicable
- tough
- unintelligible
- unfathomable
- multibranched
- impenetrable
- Kafkaesque
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- simple
- uncomplicated
- plain
- simplistic
- simplified
- noncomplex
- uniform
- homogeneous
- noncomplicated
- oversimplified
- unvaried
Synonyms & Similar Words
- detailed
- complicated
- elaborate
- complex
- elegant
- sophisticated
- involved
- exquisite
- ornate
- fancy
- magnificent
- extravagant
- splendid
- convoluted
- showy
- exuberant
- grandiose
- grand
- labyrinthine
- frilly
- flamboyant
- overwrought
- labyrinthian
- involuted
- ostentatious
- Byzantine
- chichi
- fancified
- souped-up
- involute
- gimmicked (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- simple
- unsophisticated
- uncomplicated
- plain
- modest
- unfancy
- no-frills
- unadorned
- bare
- naked
- unvarnished
- undecorated
- bald
- plain-vanilla
- plain-Jane
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of intricate are complex, complicated, involved, and knotty. While all these words mean "having confusingly interrelated parts," intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately.
In some situations, the words complex and intricate are roughly equivalent. However, complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure.
The words complicated and intricate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining.
The words involved and intricate can be used in similar contexts, but involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.
The synonyms knotty and intricate are sometimes interchangeable, but knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.