sophisticated

adjective

so·​phis·​ti·​cat·​ed sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce sophisticated (audio)
1
: deprived of native or original simplicity: such as
a
: highly complicated or developed : complex
sophisticated electronic devices
b
: having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience
a sophisticated lady
2
: devoid of grossness: such as
a
: finely experienced and aware
a sophisticated columnist
b
: intellectually appealing
a sophisticated novel
sophisticatedly adverb

Did you know?

A sophisticated argument is thorough and well-worked-out. A satellite is a sophisticated piece of technology, complex and designed to accomplish difficult tasks. A sophisticated person, such as Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, knows how to get around in the world. But sophistication isn't always admired. As you might guess, the word is closely related to sophistry (see above), and its original meanings weren't very positive, and still today many of us aren't sure we really like sophisticates.

Choose the Right Synonym for sophisticated

sophisticated, worldly-wise, blasé mean experienced in the ways of the world.

sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation.

guests at her salon were usually rich and sophisticated

worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism.

a worldly-wise woman with a philosophy of personal independence

blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation.

blasé travelers who claimed to have been everywhere

Examples of sophisticated in a Sentence

Puck's mix of casual and sophisticated elements has become the most prevalent style of L.A. dining today. Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2009
Sophisticated investors took Moody's and S&P's word for it, and it turned out that the agencies didn't know what they were doing. Andy Serwer et al., Time, 29 Sept. 2008
"These students want the amenities they grew up with at home—their own rooms, their own baths, along with some of the finer things in life. They're a more sophisticated consumer." Camille Sweeney, New York Times Real Estate Magazine, Spring 2007
Sonar devices can locate an enemy's sophisticated, almost-silent diesel submarines by, ironically, making a deafening noise—sometimes above 230 decibels, as loud as a Saturn V rocket blasting off. Dick Russell, Mother Jones, March & April 2006
She was a sophisticated and well-traveled woman. a swank and sophisticated restaurant Her knitting technique is more sophisticated than mine.
Recent Examples on the Web Machine-learning models are further refining the information gleaned from mammograms, and some are getting sophisticated enough to predict which currently normal scans show signs of potentially turning into malignant tissue in the future. TIME, 14 Mar. 2024 The pens found in Britain include crude fakes as well as ones distributed in bulk by more sophisticated criminals. Ashleigh Furlong, Fortune Europe, 13 Mar. 2024 Chances are good that these shows will become more grand, sophisticated and familiar. Gideon Kimbrell, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 As technology for both finding and plundering these vessels has grown more sophisticated, more companies have entered the field, increasing competition. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 This one is a must-have for the sophisticated and efficiently packed golfer. Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2024 By normal standards, the training of Ukraine’s pilots on the sophisticated Western jets has proceeded at lightning speed, compressing years of classroom learning, simulations and flight exercises into months. Lara Jakes, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 With increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, such a scenario is hardly a Jetsonian pipe dream. Bennet Goldstein, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 But many major games have adopted custom anti-cheat systems now that cheaters are getting more sophisticated. Sean Hollister, The Verge, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sophisticated.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin sophisticatus

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sophisticated was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near sophisticated

Cite this Entry

“Sophisticated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sophisticated. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sophisticated

adjective
so·​phis·​ti·​cat·​ed sə-ˈfis-tə-ˌkāt-əd How to pronounce sophisticated (audio)
1
a
: deprived of native or original plainness
b
: very complicated : complex
sophisticated instruments
c
: worldly-wise, knowing
a sophisticated young graduate
2
a
: finely experienced and aware
a sophisticated observer
b
: appealing to one's intelligence
a sophisticated novel
sophisticatedly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on sophisticated

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