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labyrinthian

labyrinthian

1 9.6
A plan, story or place with many twisting parts that confuse people
  • adjective
  • /ˌlæbəˈrɪnθiən/
  • Literature
translation icon : laberíntico
  • The novel's plot was so labyrinthian that I had to take notes to keep track of the characters.

At worst you get the sort of unintuitive labyrinthian menus to dig through.

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Examples

  • At worst you get the sort of unintuitive labyrinthian menus to dig through.

  • But all of them just literally found their way through the labyrinthian maze that is Hollywood and and have made it wherever they are these days.

  • Professor, I'd like to thank you for granting us access to that labyrinthian mind of yours.

  • But all of them just literally found their way through the labyrinthian maze that is Hollywood and and have made it wherever they are these days.

  • She admits she's never built a robot or solved a labyrinthian proof, but she doesn't let this stop her from loving the nuts and bolts of the mathematical approach.

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  • Navigating the labyrinthian corridors of the ancient palace took hours and required a map.

  • He described his thought process as labyrinthian, filled with twists and turns that made it hard to follow.

Synonyms

tortuous
vslabyrinthian
7 8.1

Full of twists and turns, like a winding road or an argument

is more about overall intricate complexity than just twists
labyrinthine
vslabyrinthian
  • Formal
4 9.2

Having many parts that are hard to follow like a maze

is a less common variant form with the same meaning
serpentine
vslabyrinthian
4 7.6

Winding and twisting like a snake

is about complex interconnected structure rather than simple curves
mazy
vslabyrinthian
1 8.9

Full of winding paths like a maze

is a more formal term highlighting general complex structure
mazelike
vslabyrinthian
1 5.7

Full of confusing, twisting paths that are hard to find your way through

is a broader term focusing on intricate overall complexity
rhizomatic
vslabyrinthian
  • Specialized
9.9

A system that has many connections and no central leader

focuses on maze like physical or figurative complexity rather than network form

How Complex

labyrinthine
  • Formal
4 9.2
labyrinthian
  • Literature
1 9.6
intricate
73 6.7
complicated
876 5.4

Surface Forms

labyrinthian positive

Morphology

labyrinthian = labyrinth (transparent) = labyrinth + ian

Typical adjectival formation from 'labyrinth' with '-ian' meaning 'resembling or relating to a labyrinth', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Labyrinthian comes from the old Greek word labyrinth for a famous, twisting maze. So calling something labyrinthian means it is like a 'maze' — very complex, full of turns, and hard to find your way through.