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Complex vs. Difficult: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
'Complex' describes something with many parts or aspects, often intricate in nature, while 'difficult' refers to something that is hard to do or understand.
Complex vs. Difficult

Key Differences

'Complex' is used to describe something that has multiple components, layers, or aspects, often intricate and interconnected. 'Difficult,' on the other hand, refers to something that poses a challenge or requires considerable effort or skill to deal with or understand.
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Nov 15, 2023
In usage, 'complex' often describes systems, ideas, or structures that are multifaceted and potentially complicated to comprehend or navigate. 'Difficult' is used to describe tasks, situations, or concepts that are challenging to accomplish, understand, or endure.
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The term 'complex' can imply sophistication and depth without necessarily being negative. 'Difficult' typically has a more negative connotation, suggesting struggle, effort, or frustration in dealing with something.
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'Complex' can be more objective, referring to inherent characteristics of complexity in a subject. 'Difficult' is often subjective, as what is difficult for one person may not be for another.
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'Complex' is used in a wide range of fields to describe intricate systems or ideas, from science to art. 'Difficult' is more universally applicable to any task, concept, or situation that presents a challenge.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Consisting of many parts or aspects
Hard to do, understand, or deal with
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Pronunciation

/ˈkɒm.plɛks/
/ˈdɪf.ɪ.kəlt/
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Nov 15, 2023

Word Type

Adjective, Noun
Adjective
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Syllable Count

Two syllables: Com-plex
Three syllables: Dif-fi-cult
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Usage in Sentences

Describes intricacy and complication
Describes challenge and hardship
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Complex and Difficult Definitions

Complex

Complex describes something with an intricate structure.
The complex mechanism of the watch fascinated him.
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Nov 10, 2023

Difficult

Involves a high degree of effort or skill.
Solving complex math problems can be difficult.
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Nov 10, 2023

Complex

Referring to having multiple interconnected parts.
The human brain is a highly complex organ.
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Nov 10, 2023

Difficult

Referring to situations hard to endure or bear.
The long journey was difficult for the travelers.
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Nov 10, 2023

Complex

Cannot be easily summarized or simplified.
The plot of the novel was too complex to explain briefly.
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Nov 10, 2023
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Difficult

Used for situations presenting considerable challenges.
Navigating through the crowded streets was difficult.
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Nov 10, 2023

Complex

In psychology, a complex refers to a group of related emotions or ideas.
He has a complex about being in large crowds.
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Nov 10, 2023

Difficult

Describes concepts or subjects hard to comprehend.
Quantum physics is a difficult subject for many.
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Nov 10, 2023

Complex

Consisting of interconnected or interwoven parts; composite
Complex equipment with multiple components.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Difficult describes something challenging to achieve.
Climbing Mount Everest is a difficult endeavor.
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Nov 10, 2023

Complex

Composed of two or more units
A complex carbohydrate.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Requiring considerable effort or skill; not easy to do or accomplish
"To entertain is far more difficult than to enlighten" (Anthony Burgess).
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

Difficult to understand for being intricate or involved; complicated
A complex problem.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Not easy to endure; full of hardship or trouble; trying
Fell upon difficult times.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

Consisting of at least one bound form. Used of a word.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Not easy to comprehend, solve, or explain
A difficult puzzle.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

Consisting of an independent clause and at least one other independent or dependent clause. Used of a sentence.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Not easy to please, satisfy, or manage
A difficult child.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

A whole composed of interconnected or interwoven parts
A complex of cities and suburbs.
The military-industrial complex.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Not easy to persuade or convince; stubborn.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

A building or group of buildings used for a single purpose
A sports complex.
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Difficult

Hard, not easy, requiring much effort.
However, the difficult weather conditions will ensure Yunnan has plenty of freshwater. File:However, the difficult weather conditions will ensure Yunnan has plenty of freshwater.ogg
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Complex

In psychoanalysis, a group of related, often repressed ideas and impulses that compel characteristic or habitual patterns of thought, feelings, and behavior.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Hard to manage, uncooperative, troublesome.
Stop being difficult and eat your broccoli—you know it's good for you.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

An exaggerated or obsessive concern or fear
Has a complex about his weight.
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Difficult

(obsolete) Unable or unwilling.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

(Medicine) The combination of factors, symptoms, or signs of a disease or disorder that forms a syndrome.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

To make difficult; to impede; to perplex.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
A complex being; a complex idea
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Hard to do or to make; beset with difficulty; attended with labor, trouble, or pains; not easy; arduous.
There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, and difficult world, alone.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
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Oct 19, 2023

Difficult

Hard to manage or to please; not easily wrought upon; austere; stubborn; as, a difficult person.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

Having the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is (by definition) the imaginary square root of −1.
Complex number
Function of a complex variable
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Difficult

To render difficult; to impede; to perplex.
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Complex

Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.
Complex function
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Difficult

Not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure;
A difficult task
Nesting places on the cliffs are difficult of access
Difficult times
A difficult child
Found himself in a difficult situation
Why is it so hard for you to keep a secret?
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Complex

Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers.
Complex polynomial
Complex algebraic variety
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Difficult

Requiring much effort and trouble;
The mountain climb was long, steep, and difficult
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Complex

(geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

A problem. en
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Complex

A network of interconnected systems.
Military-industrial complex
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Complex

A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

An assemblage of related things; a collection.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
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Complex

A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity.
The fire complex began as two separate fires.
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Complex

(taxonomy) A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

(psychoanalysis) An abnormal mental condition caused by repressed emotions.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

A vehement, often excessive psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.
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Complex

(chemistry) A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules, as for example coordination complexes in inorganic chemistry and protein complexes in biochemistry.
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Complex

(math) A complex number.
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Complex

(linguistics) A multimorphemic word, one with several parts, one with affixes.
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Complex

To form a complex with another substance
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Complex

(transitive) To complicate.
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Complex

Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea.
Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
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Complex

Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.
When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex.
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Complex

Assemblage of related things; collection; complication.
This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
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Oct 19, 2023

Complex

A conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts;
The complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town
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Complex

A compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated
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Complex

(psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a person's behavior
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Complex

A whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures
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Complex

Complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts;
A complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody
A complex mass of diverse laws and customs
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Complex

Complex is used for complicated systems or frameworks.
The ecosystem of the rainforest is extremely complex.
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Nov 10, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What types of things are described as complex?

Systems, ideas, mechanisms, and relationships are often described as complex.
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Nov 15, 2023

What does 'complex' mean?

'Complex' describes something with multiple interconnected parts or aspects, often intricate.
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Nov 15, 2023

How is 'difficult' defined?

'Difficult' refers to something that is challenging to do, understand, or endure.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is 'difficult' always negative?

'Difficult' often has a negative connotation, but it can also imply a rewarding challenge.
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What makes a task difficult?

A task is difficult if it requires a lot of effort, skill, or endurance to accomplish.
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Can a person be complex?

Yes, a person can be complex, meaning they have a multifaceted personality or character.
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Is learning a new language difficult?

For many people, learning a new language is considered difficult due to the effort and understanding required.
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Can something be complex but not difficult?

Yes, something can be complex (intricate) without necessarily being difficult (challenging).
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Nov 15, 2023

Can a situation be both complex and difficult?

Yes, a situation can be both complex (intricate) and difficult (challenging).
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How do we determine if something is difficult?

Something is considered difficult based on the level of challenge or effort it presents, often subjectively.
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Does 'complex' imply intelligence?

'Complex' can imply a level of sophistication or depth, which may be associated with intelligence.
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Are all complex things difficult to understand?

Not necessarily; some complex things can be understood with the right knowledge or perspective.
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Can 'difficult' refer to physical tasks?

Yes, 'difficult' can refer to tasks that are physically challenging.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is 'complex' used in psychology?

Yes, in psychology, a complex refers to a group of emotionally significant ideas or feelings.
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Is complexity always obvious?

No, complexity may not always be immediately apparent and might require deeper analysis to understand.
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Nov 15, 2023

Can 'difficult' be subjective?

Yes, what is difficult for one person may not be for another, making it a subjective term.
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Can a book be complex?

Yes, a book can be complex if it has intricate plot lines or character development.
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Nov 15, 2023

Is a complex task always time-consuming?

Often, but not always. Some complex tasks can be completed quickly if one understands the intricacies well.
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Does 'difficult' imply impossibility?

No, 'difficult' implies challenge, not impossibility. Many difficult tasks can be accomplished with effort and skill.
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What is a 'complex problem'?

A complex problem is one that has many interconnected parts and factors, making it intricate to solve.
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Nov 15, 2023

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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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