intricately complex

USAGE SUMMARY

"intricately complex" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has many details and layers of complexity. For example, "The calculations involved in this physics problem were intricately complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The sledgehammer-shaped symbolism of the "falling man" can't really match the intricately complex lives of Don Draper and co.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Proponents of Intelligent Design, which asserts that life is so intricately complex that an architect must be behind it, say it is a valid scientific theory.

The New York Times

Sadly, I think this fear speaks to a larger difficulty lurking on the edges of the post-feminist landscape, one not addressable by slogans or demonstrations because it has to do with the intricately complex manner in which we forge our identities.

The New York Times - Magazine

We'll be continuing to release exclusive behind-the-scenes blog posts and videos, peeling back the layers of this intricately complex filmic experience in the weeks to come.

Vice

With a history purportedly stretching back into the late 1800s, The Number is one of the world's oldest gangs, maintained with an intricately complex hierarchy that spans across three factions the 26s, 27s, and 28s.

Vice

On a simpler note, Emanuel Levy has said: "Whether viewers perceive The Prestige as intricately complex or just unnecessarily complicated would depend to a large degree on their willingness to suspend disbelief for two hours".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Some of characters, typically Japanese Kanji, are composed of several strokes which makes them intricately more complex writing than the characters which are composed of a single stroke.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Although the global porosity value is lower for pear tissue, it implies that the void network in 'Conference' is intricately more complex and consists of more connected pathways than for any of the examined apple cultivars.

BMC Plant Biology

But there's still a huge amount of work to do, in order to understand how the programmes written in animals' genomes lead to the formation of beautiful, complex, intricately patterned bodies.

The Guardian

While our primary focus is studying the nudibranchs, it is essential to pay attention to the bigger picture and remind ourselves that all of the diversity of the world's richest reefs is intricately intertwined in complex biological interactions.

The New York Times

By contrast, the concurrent modulation of Stat3 and EGFR, or Stat3 and Src, or EGFR and Src strongly suppressed c-Myc expression, demonstrating that the novel nuclear heteromeric complex intricately regulates the c-Myc gene.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intricately complex", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates both the intricacy and the complexity to fully convey the intended meaning. For example, describing a musical composition as "intricately complex" suggests both a detailed arrangement and a challenging structure.

Common error

Avoid using "intricately complex" to describe something that is merely complicated or detailed. This phrase is most effective when applied to systems or concepts that possess a high degree of interconnectedness and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intricately complex" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to describe entities characterized by both detailed interconnections and overall difficulty. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis indicating its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intricately complex" is a grammatically correct and useful adjective phrase for describing something with many detailed and layered elements. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the phrase appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While synonyms like "very elaborate" or "highly sophisticated" can be used, "intricately complex" uniquely emphasizes both the detailed and difficult aspects of a subject. Remember to use it when the context genuinely warrants a description of high interconnectedness and sophistication to avoid overuse in simpler situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very elaborate

Highlights a high degree of detailed and complicated structure.

extraordinarily complicated

Highlights the difficulty and sophistication involved.

elaborately detailed

Stresses the extensive and thorough detailing.

exceedingly intricate

Emphasizes the high degree of detail and artistry.

remarkably elaborate

Highlights the extraordinary nature of its elaboration.

highly sophisticated

Focuses on the advanced and refined nature.

deeply layered

Emphasizes multiple levels of structure and significance.

finely wrought

Emphasizes the precision and delicacy of its creation.

thoroughly knotty

Highlights difficulty to be solved or understood, it is more colloquial.

profoundly deep

Focuses on the depth and insightfulness.

FAQs

How can I use "intricately complex" in a sentence?

You can use "intricately complex" to describe anything that has many interconnected parts and is difficult to understand. For example: "The human brain is an intricately complex organ."

What are some synonyms for "intricately complex"?

Alternatives include "very elaborate", "highly sophisticated", or "exceedingly intricate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "intricately complex"?

While both words relate to complexity, "intricately" emphasizes the detailed and interwoven nature, while "complex" highlights the overall difficulty in understanding. The combination reinforces both aspects.

What distinguishes "intricately complex" from "complicated"?

"Intricately complex" suggests a higher level of sophistication and interconnectedness than simply "complicated." It implies that the elements are not just numerous but also deeply related and challenging to disentangle.