Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective intricate differ from other similar words?

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.

an intricate web of deceit

When could complex be used to replace intricate?

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.

a complex recipe

When is complicated a more appropriate choice than intricate?

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.

complicated legal procedures

Where would involved be a reasonable alternative to intricate?

The words involved and intricate can be used in similar contexts, but involved implies extreme complication and often disorder.

a rambling, involved explanation

When might knotty be a better fit than intricate?

The synonyms knotty and intricate are sometimes interchangeable, but knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable.

knotty ethical questions

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intricate The 25-year-old dropped deep to receive the ball from Brentford’s centre-backs, slalomed in between midfielders and threaded intricate passes behind the opposition’s defence. Jay Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2025 The frock was nearly floor-length and was designed with hundreds of intricate beads throughout. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 July 2025 The collection showcases the ice age (with a cast of a mammoth tusk) and Potawatomi history, featuring intricate Native American beadwork. Kelly Haramis, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025 Freeman says the tailored silhouettes and intricate details of the Met Gala’s recent dandy theme is a good place to look for inspiration. Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, Glamour, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for intricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intricate
Adjective
  • That stark reality, Wood said, was part of what compelled him to write the book Among the lessons Wood discusses are the importance of healthy communication, the role of community support and the insights drawn from his own complicated relationship with his father.
    Essence, Essence, 9 July 2025
  • While these may seem a bit too complicated for children, the kit is specifically designed for budding engineers aged 8 to 14 and includes easy-to-understand, age-appropriate instructions.
    Anja Webb, Parents, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the attempt to throw a lifeline to the fossil fuel industry could be too little, too late, as detailed in this New Yorker article by Bill McKibben.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 11 July 2025
  • Here is a detailed outlook for when the Bills return for training camp in late July.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • As the social-media ecosystem has become more fragmented and complex during the past several years, with new platforms continually emerging and decaying, there’s been some user attrition.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
  • The espresso martini is arguably delicious, just complex enough and pulls double duty with alcohol and caffeine.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Katy Perry's Phoenix concert featured elaborate visuals, gravity-defying stunts and her biggest hits.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025
  • The mayor has yet to internalize how much City Hall’s elaborate bait-and-switch on voters in winning approval of much-higher-than-promised new trash fees on 226,000-plus single-family homes has damaged his reputation.
    U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The district has tried to be conservative on replacing items as efforts to form a fire territory complicate issues of investment and ownership.
    Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Certainly tariffs are adding to economic uncertainty and complicate decision-making for the Federal Reserve.
    Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Order the celebration of summer strawberries, which includes an incredibly elegant presentation of shave ice.
    Leslie Kelly, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • Actor Andrew Garfield wore his trusty Omega De Ville Trésor, soccer star Bukayo Saka flexed a gorgeous Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa flaunted an elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Edwin Brant Frost IV and his private lending company First Liberty Building & Loan with allegedly presiding over a sophisticated $140 million Ponzi scheme, according to a civil complaint filed on Thursday in federal court in Atlanta.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 11 July 2025
  • Deepfakes have been growing more sophisticated in recent years, in addition to being increasingly deployed for malicious purposes.
    Shannon Bond, NPR, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intricate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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