sophisticated

so·phis·ti·cat·ed | \ sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkā-təd

Definition of sophisticated

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

Other Words from sophisticated Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about sophisticated

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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

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.

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 Surgical masks would be stocked, but not the more sophisticated FFP2 masks that, the report noted, cost 10 times as much. — Norimitsu Onishi, BostonGlobe.com, "How France lost the weapons to fight a pandemic," 17 May 2020 Better understanding may be required to pursue more sophisticated strategies. — Simon Makin, Scientific American, "From Hamsters to Baboons: The Animals Helping Scientists Understand the Coronavirus," 14 May 2020 Like other landlords, Coretrust is ambivalent about screening arrivals for fever by use of thermometers or more sophisticated thermal imaging devices. — Roger Vincentstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Someday we’ll return to the office. It’ll be nothing like we’ve seen before," 8 May 2020 For instance, a more sophisticated integration of virtual and live instruction could help high schools match the achievement gains primary education has made in recent years. — Peter Grier, The Christian Science Monitor, "How coronavirus will change the US, from where we live to the way we connect," 28 Apr. 2020 At college in the more sophisticated city of Dublin, the two initially go their separate ways. — Jeanne Jakle, ExpressNews.com, "Jeanne Jakle: 10 new TV series to watch in May, including ‘City of Angels,’ ‘Upload,’ ‘Hollywood’ and ‘Snowpiercer’," 24 Apr. 2020 Structures improve, with new metallurgy and more sophisticated load paths. — Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, "The Debate: Should Your Teen Drive a New Car or an Old Beater?," 23 Apr. 2020 In recent years, jolted by SARS and then by MERS, Asian countries have poured resources into contact tracing, combining sophisticated digital tools with large networks of public health outreach workers. — Ellen Barry, New York Times, "An Army of Virus Tracers Takes Shape in Massachusetts," 16 Apr. 2020 Others have created sophisticated tracking tools to map out epidemic hotspots. — Dinsa Sachan, Smithsonian Magazine, "How Innovators Are Adapting Existing Technologies to Fight COVID-19," 14 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sophisticated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.