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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
This new era champions sophisticated, functional style beyond the water's edge. — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The decor is sophisticated with gold and cream accents, leather bed heads and flecked carpet. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 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
  • When South Beach was still a sleepy town, before the ‘90s boom, Epicure was the one place welcoming the cosmopolitan.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But her perspective is internet-era cosmopolitan; young but preternaturally wise about self-reliance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of cosmopolitan
Verb
  • The war in the Middle East has complicated maritime shipments, forcing equipment, which countries are required to bring with them, to be airlifted at significant costs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns that the 260-foot arch would further complicate an already complex airspace, where just a year and a half ago, the deadliest plane crash on American soil since 2009 occurred.
    — Sarah Ploss, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of complicate
Verb
  • Unfortunately, Volvo also fitted steering that feels like it has been diluted.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026
  • When the lid is locked, condensation builds up and drips back into the dish, which can thin sauces and dilute seasoning.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 19 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
  • Just before the show began, Williams loaded up her pre-show playlist with six songs that speak to this musical conversation.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Mariners reliever Carlos Vargas (1-0) struck out Josh Lowe and Christian Moore — each on three pitches — with the bases loaded to end the bottom of the fifth, and Seattle pushed the lead to 7-2 on RBI singles by Canzone and Raleigh in the sixth.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of load
Verb
  • Ten lions found dead in a wildlife reserve in Tanzania are suspected to have been poisoned, according to wildlife officials.
    — Kristin Wright, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The attacks escalated this summer, with 16 trees — 13 Jeffrey pines and three white firs — poisoned on three occasions between May and early August.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of poison
Verb
  • Communities can reduce their fire risk by thinning out grass, brush, and trees with weed trimmers, mowers, and chainsaws.
    — Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Climate change has been thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region’s mineral resources.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of thin
Verb
  • Lopez tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Carlos Hernandez to cut Miami’s lead to 11 points.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The decline raises the prospect of an interest rate cut by the central bank at next week’s monetary policy committee meeting, the penultimate one for this year.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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