SOPHISTICATES Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

sophisticates 1 of 2

noun

plural of sophisticate

as in cosmopolitans

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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sophisticates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sophisticate

as in complexes

to make complex or difficult there's no need to sophisticate something that is beautiful in its simplicity

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as in dilutes

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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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 sophisticates

Noun

The homeowners, who launched the modern apothecary brand Malin+Goetz in 2004 out of a white-box Manhattan storefront, have settled into life as rural sophisticates. — Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticates

Noun

Eylan also puts its own spin on classic cocktails including old-fashioneds, Manhattans and cosmopolitans.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 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 cosmopolitans

Verb

September's inflation report complicates things for Kevin Warsh 's Federal Reserve .

— Fred Imbert, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
That complicates the operations of Ukraine’s drone missions, particularly interceptor drones and mid-range strike drones, according to multiple sources.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicates

Verb

These improvements are intended to help military forces transport larger loads more efficiently and support operational demands across a range of environments.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2026
When your site loads quickly, visitors may stay longer, browse more and be more likely to convert.

— Anthony Savino, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of loads

Verb

Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of embarrasses

Verb

Forest and land fires in Indonesia have worsened this year as El Niño intensifies a prolonged dry season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
The warning was downgraded late Sunday night to an advisory, meaning residents should still be on high alert in the event that activity intensifies again.

— Austin Turner, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of intensifies

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sophisticated

sophisticates

sophisticating

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“Sophisticates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticates. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sophisticates

noun

verb

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