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Complicate vs Overwhelm - What's the difference?

complicate | overwhelm | Related terms |

Complicate is a related term of overwhelm.


As verbs the difference between complicate and overwhelm

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 overwhelm is to engulf, surge over and submerge.

As an adjective complicate

is (obsolete) intertwined.

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!

    overwhelm

    English

    Verb

  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
  • The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
  • To overpower, crush.
  • In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
  • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • To overpower emotionally.
  • He was overwhelmed with guilt.
    Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.
  • (Papin)

    Derived terms

    * overwhelming

    See also

    * too many balls in the air