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Complicate vs Distract - What's the difference?

complicate | distract | Related terms |

Complicate is a related term of distract.


In lang=en terms the difference between complicate and distract

is that complicate is to expose involvement in a convoluted matter while distract is to divert the attention of.

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between complicate and distract

is that complicate is (obsolete) intertwined while distract is (obsolete) insane; mad.

As verbs the difference between complicate and distract

is that complicate is to fold or twist together; to combine intricately; to make complex; to combine or associate so as to make intricate or difficult while distract is to divert the attention of.

As adjectives the difference between complicate and distract

is that complicate is (obsolete) intertwined while distract is (obsolete) separated; drawn asunder.

complicate

English

Verb

(complicat)
  • To fold or twist together; to combine intricately; to make complex; to combine or associate so as to make intricate or difficult.
  • Don't complicate yourself in issues that are beyond the scope of your education.
  • to expose involvement in a convoluted matter.
  • John has been complicated in the affair by new tapes that surfaced.
    The DA has made every effort to complicate me in the scandal.

    Synonyms

    * (expose involvement in a convoluted matter) intricate, entangle, embroil, mix up (in something), mire

    See also

    * complex

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Intertwined.
  • Complex, complicated.
  • * 1745 , Edward Young, Night-Thoughts , I:
  • How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, / How complicate , how wonderful, is Man!

    distract

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To divert the attention of.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 10, author=David Ornstein, work=BBC Sport
  • , title= Arsenal 1-0 Everton , passage=While Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had warned his players against letting the pre-match festivities distract them from the task at hand, they clearly struggled for fluency early on.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Travels and travails , passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}
    '

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Separated; drawn asunder.
  • (obsolete) Insane; mad.
  • (Drayton)