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intricate

adjective
in·​tri·​cate | \ ˈin-tri-kÉ™t How to pronounce intricate (audio) \

Definition of intricate

1 : having many complexly interrelating parts or elements : complicated intricate machinery an intricate plot
2 : difficult to resolve or analyze
Other Words from intricate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about intricate

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Other Words from intricate

intricately adverb
intricateness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for intricate

complex, complicated, intricate, involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts. complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure. a complex recipe complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining. complicated legal procedures intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately. an intricate web of deceit involved implies extreme complication and often disorder. a rambling, involved explanation knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable. knotty ethical questions

Examples of intricate in a Sentence

Filigree is an ancient technique that creates an intricate, lace-like pattern through the combination of wire swirls and shapes. — 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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Shows like this one don’t have to be perfect, or intricate, or awards-sweeping. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "This Way Up Is a Bountiful Binge Watch," 22 Aug. 2019 Andy Reid’s scheme is immensely intricate, which helps regulate his wunderkind QB. — Andy Benoit, SI.com, "Chiefs Boast a League-Leading Offense, But Can the Defense Play Its Part?," 20 Aug. 2019 So The Lion King now has its very own pristine cover album, rendered in intricate, realistic detail, a high-fidelity B-side for its many devoted fans. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Disney’s Lion King remake is just like the original, but without the magic," 11 July 2019 The music on the latest record is intricate, with prog-metal touches and delicately layered vocal harmonies. — John Adamian, courant.com, "Baroness bringing its colorful metal to the Webster," 5 July 2019 Iguodala’s ability to play long stretches of intricate, breakneck basketball without making mistakes, while pulling his teammates into sync with him, is legendary. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Goodbye Andre Iguodala: You will be missed," 1 July 2019 The beadwork is intricate, with patches depicting the emotions of a dozen others who were on the ship from Africa with Bras-Coupé. — Laura Testino, nola.com, "Created new each year, Mardi Gras Indian suits find more permanent homes," 28 June 2019 The video begins with Twigs wearing an intricate, leafy lace bikini and eight-inch metallic platform heels, stepping out on a stage before launching into a frenetic pole-dancing routine. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "FKA Twigs Shows Off Impressive Pole-Dancing Skills in a New Music Video," 24 Apr. 2019 An oil can is an apt subject for Muirhead, because its battered metal evokes the scraping of copper that yielded the intricate etching. — Washington Post, "In the galleries: Matt Wilt wields a deft hand for his ceramic creations," 3 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intricate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intricate

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for intricate

Middle English, from Latin intricatus, past participle of intricare to entangle, from in- + tricae trifles, complications

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More Definitions for intricate

intricate

adjective
How to pronounce intricate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intricate

: having many parts

See the full definition for intricate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intricate

adjective
in·​tri·​cate | \ ˈin-tri-kÉ™t How to pronounce intricate (audio) \

Kids Definition of intricate

1 : having many closely combined parts or elements an intricate design
2 : very difficult to follow or understand an intricate plot

Other Words from intricate

intricately adverb

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More from Merriam-Webster on intricate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for intricate

Spanish Central: Translation of intricate

Nglish: Translation of intricate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of intricate for Arabic Speakers

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