byzantine
Pronunciation
Adjective
B1 Intermediate
Quick answer
Excessively complicated, especially describing rules, systems, or bureaucracy that are hard to follow.
Synonyms and antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage notes
Capitalized as "Byzantine" when referring to the actual Byzantine Empire, lowercase when it means overly complex.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Getting the permit approved required navigating a _____ set of city regulations."
Answer: byzantine
In your own words, what does "byzantine" mean?
Excessively complicated, especially describing rules, systems, or bureaucracy that are hard to follow.
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