elaborate (on)

Definition of elaborate (on)next
1
as in to exaggerate
to add to the interest of by including made-up details my friend tends to elaborate on his hiking experiences, turning an ordinary walk in the woods into a hair-raising adventure

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2
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail the candidate for governor refused to elaborate on how she would balance the state's budget

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate (on)
Verb
  • Prosecutors described the brothers as flight risks who exaggerate, lie under oath and should remain behind bars.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • According to naturalist Bill Finch, kudzu’s threat to Southern landscapes has been exaggerated.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After being implanted beneath the skin of their backs, the tissues developed their own blood supply and began to contract spontaneously.
    Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The company’s Lithium Ceramic Battery platform has been developed since 2012.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Auburn won this matchup in Waco last season, but the Tigers opted for a neutral site in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to pad their roster budget.
    Justin Williams, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Andruw Monasterio padded the lead with a two-run single in the ninth and scored on Nick Sogard's RBI double.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The View From Beijing In a departure from business strategies of the past, this current cohort of Chinese companies has a mandate to expand internationally, according to academic Karim Alwadi, based in Beijing.
    Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Opened on New Year’s Day in 1926, the hotel was expanded by famed society architect Maurice Fatio, who managed to maintain intimacy despite imposing a larger footprint.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • But things did not click regularly enough as a team, hence the summer-long search for a new No 10-type playmaker who could provide the necessary creativity and consistency to supplement Windass’ qualities.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Chen said that the company’s robots will supplement human manpower, not replace it.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Elaborate (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate%20%28on%29. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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