elaborate 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈla-b(ə-)rət How to pronounce elaborate (audio)
Definition of elaboratenext
1
as in detailed
made or done with great care or with much detail elaborate festivities for the 200th anniversary of the town's founding

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2
as in thorough
including many small descriptive features the elaborate world known as Middle Earth that J.R.R. Tolkien created in his richly imagined novels

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3
as in intricate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated plans for a huge mall that will actually be an elaborate center for sports, entertainment, and shopping

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elaborate

2 of 2

verb

i-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt How to pronounce elaborate (audio)
as in to unfold
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as mankind's understanding of the universe has elaborated

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of elaborate
Adjective
And, of course, action abounds, culminating in an elaborate climactic battle sequence in which Alexandra’s coyote forces are commanded by the rabidly loyal Maksim, memorably voiced by Tom Waits. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026 In the show, the crew encounters a white hole spewing time and space into the universe, and the only way to close it is for Lister to play space pool, sinking a planet into the interdimensional fissure via an over-elaborate trick shot. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
Jennifer De Angelo Baxter, a Virginia public school teacher, handcrafts elaborate creations while managing her rare condition. — Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026 Guadagnino elaborated on his feelings about AI during the Q&A. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
  1. detailed
  2. thorough
  3. intricate
  4. unfold
  5. complicated
  6. full
  7. complicate
  8. evolve
Adjective
  • While Motor Decide helps identify the best motor technology pathway, Motor AI performs the detailed motor design work needed to bring those concepts to life, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
  • During evidence on Wednesday, Riel Karmy-Jones, the prosecution barrister, detailed allegations made by a total of six women, which have precipitated the seven charges against Brand.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • The cost of a thorough review is small compared with the consequences of an expensive commitment based on incomplete information.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
  • What sets the podcast apart is that Opipari is not a songwriter, but his love for music and the writing process is apparent in his thorough interview style.
    — Lily Moayeri, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • Most Sherlock Holmes stories are mysteries – intricate, complex and brilliantly written.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The pieces feature custom hardware and intricate embroidery highlighting Indian Motorcycle’s iconic headdress badge.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intricate
Verb
  • Carlie Irsay-Gordon, owner and CEO of the Colts, issued a strong statement regarding why the decision to fire Ballard unfolded at this specific point of the regular season.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The common concern is what matters in the scene, and where the audience should be as that part of the story unfolds.
    — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfold
Adjective
  • The complicated feelings surrounding Jose’s detainment mirrors the response in Staunton over the deportation of Ayuzo Sandoval during the 2025 holidays, which caught the attention of the governor.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The effects crew also rebuilt Rocky’s transparent xenonite barriers digitally to remove reflections, hide operators and maintain the complicated play of light through the set.
    — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicated
Adjective
  • The bill advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee last month but has not passed the full chamber.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Thankfully, the lunar disk will set a few hours after midnight, leaving a window of beautifully dark sky before dawn in which to enjoy the full majesty of the annual meteor shower.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • The company very deliberately targets large enterprise customers, which have the biggest and most complicate supply chain ecosystems.
    — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Wilcox noted that overlaps between substance use and suicide complicate reduction efforts.
    — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Definition of complicate
Verb
  • The wave function evolves over time in a way that’s dictated by Schrödinger’s equation, named for Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger.
    — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Dumas was intrigued as Hermès was dealing with a generational crisis of how to evolve the company without losing its core customers.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of evolve

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Cite this Entry

“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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