sophisticate 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈfi-sti-kət How to pronounce sophisticate (audio)
Definition of sophisticatenext
as in cosmopolitan
a person with the outlook, experience, and manners thought to be typical of big city dwellers sophisticates laughing at people they thought of as hicks

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sophisticate

2 of 2

verb

sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkāt How to pronounce sophisticate (audio)
1
as in to complex
to make complex or difficult there's no need to sophisticate something that is beautiful in its simplicity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances vanilla extract that has been sophisticated with corn syrup

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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 sophisticate
Noun
Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026 Despite parents’ efforts, allowances aren’t necessarily minting a new generation of financial sophisticates. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
The decor is sophisticated with gold and cream accents, leather bed heads and flecked carpet. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026 Her look is proof that the polarizing silhouette can be sophisticated and is also well on its way to becoming a modern classic. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sophisticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticate
  1. cosmopolitan
  2. complicate
  3. dilute
  4. dirty
  5. load
  6. poison
  7. thin
  8. cut
Noun
  • But her perspective is internet-era cosmopolitan; young but preternaturally wise about self-reliance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • As long as the overall drink remains sufficiently boozy, cocktails that contain citrus—such as margaritas, daiquiris, and cosmopolitans—can also work well or just require a few slight tweaks.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
Definition of cosmopolitan
Verb
  • Bond yields Persistent inflation, tariffs and whipsawing gas prices are not the only obstacles complicating the task for the Fed.
    — Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Beijing — Already harrowing rescue efforts along the China-Nepal border are being complicated by the risk of new flooding or landslides, with authorities in China and Nepal pausing rescue efforts Friday due to those fears.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of complicate
Verb
  • Some of the old guard accused Kılıçdaroğlu of diluting the party’s values.
    — Nick TaborAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The shift to apps deepened, rather than diluted, the customer relationship, unlocking always-on engagement, rich first-party data and a far faster cycle of product innovation.
    — Dana Dunne, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilute
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • Better hygiene isn’t the only reason Bogoyavlenskiy and his team load silverware this way.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • After perfecting the design on their computer, Tiu loaded a drum of yellow ink into the printer.
    — Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of load
Verb
  • Veterinarians determined that the snake's venom poisoned Samba, prompting them to give her antivenin.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Glutathione is processed in sterile compounding pharmacies, and there have been cases of people getting poisoned due to contamination at these facilities, Sack said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of poison
Verb
  • The company also reported promising mid-stage data for women with thinning hair in July.
    — Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In this cosmic battle, dark energy appears to be winning — expanding our universe over trillions of years until everything thins and smooths out into almost nothingness.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin
Verb
  • Trading firms began using low-latency (shorter delay) technology and co-locating servers inside exchange data centers, cutting trade execution times to milliseconds and making speed itself a competitive advantage.
    — Brian Lund, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Bass defended her proposal to cut the climate office amid the budget crunch, which the City Council rejected.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut

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Cite this Entry

“Sophisticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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