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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elaborate
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
These took many forms, from simple lines carved into the riverbank marking water levels, such as those at Elephantine near the southern border, to the elaborate structures incorporated into riverside temples of Kom Ombo and Luxor.
—Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell elaborated on last week's press conference remarks in a speech , again highlighting the lack of a free lunch in policy-setting when both employment and inflation data are wide of target levels.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Adjective
Byron’s way ahead of the game, touting Guinness’s ability to keep men, well, afloat using an elaborate nautical metaphor.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
These took many forms, from simple lines carved into the riverbank marking water levels, such as those at Elephantine near the southern border, to the elaborate structures incorporated into riverside temples of Kom Ombo and Luxor.
—Vanessa Taylor, Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
Another question came from Onika Williams at Meta, who asked the panelists to elaborate on how to embrace the unknown of AI.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell elaborated on last week's press conference remarks in a speech , again highlighting the lack of a free lunch in policy-setting when both employment and inflation data are wide of target levels.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
Adjective
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Its preservation allows for a more detailed reconstruction of ceremonial life than is usually possible with megalithic monuments.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
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There, twice a month, the Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society holds court, its members arrayed in corsets, feather boas, ripped jeans and lovingly detailed costumes that evoke their favorite movie's main characters.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
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This study, which was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, was the most thorough deep dive into the biology of supercentenarians (people over 110 years), according to Esteller.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Minnesota, there are contests for rosemaling, a Norwegian folk art, which is characterized by intricate patterns of flowers and swirls.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
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Captains also have the critical power to choose which players to pair together, an intricate dance of team chemistry and opposition matchup that can make or break a Ryder Cup bid.—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While every government shutdown unfolds differently, essential services that protect life and property typically remain operational.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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That playoff triumph, however, unfolded with fans absent from Petco Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Dennis Lin,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The rust mantra is wisely chanted when searching for a Karmann Ghia, and restoring one is as complicated as restoring any Porsche 356 from the period.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
26 Sep. 2025
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But the reality is more complicated.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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During the last full government shutdown in 2013, about 850,000 federal employees were furloughed, meaning they were required to take unpaid leave, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.—
Kevin Breuninger,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
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Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress are locked in a standoff over a short-term funding bill that would reopen the government and allow time for full bipartisan negotiations on appropriations.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Families today are more anchored: two-income households complicate moves, aging demographics keep older homeowners in place, and many are locked into mortgage rates under 4%, unwilling to trade up into costlier loans.—
Brian Delp,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The shift would send states scrambling and complicate parents’ efforts to get young children vaccinated ahead of the coming respiratory virus season.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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State fairs of today share the same elements, but have evolved into something like pop-up theme parks.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
27 Sep. 2025
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But still reflecting your questions back, shaped by them, evolving in their presence.—
Gary Greenberg,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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