Definition of sophisticated
1 : deprived of native or original simplicity: such asa : highly complicated or developed : complex sophisticated electronic devicesb : having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience a sophisticated lady
2 : devoid of grossness: such asa : finely experienced and aware a sophisticated columnistb : intellectually appealing a sophisticated novel
sophisticatedly
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
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 of sophisticated from the Web
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Tamez said that delivering something heavy such as wire or bolt cutters via drone would require a sophisticated plan and a powerful machine.
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The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has been going for more than 50 years, with ever more sophisticated detection systems and creative ideas about how E.T. might come calling.
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Also thinking about the consumer first -- there are sophisticated food eaters and wine drinkers everywhere now, in cities big and small.
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With AEGIS, Curiosity can search and pick targets in a much more sophisticated fashion.
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A more sophisticated task would be passing information from one app to another.
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Foreign policy analysts have long questioned China’s willingness and ability to alter Pyongyang’s behavior and slow its pursuit of a more sophisticated nuclear weapons program that could potentially reach the continental United States.
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This Capitol Hill tequila bar gives the strawberry margarita a sophisticated tweak by adding some herbaceous notes with a float of Chartreuse and some basil to cut into the sweetness and give it a nice zing.
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Through a very light layer of frosting, the edges of the cake underneath are left visible, giving a sophisticated, rustic look.
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.
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.
Origin and Etymology of sophisticated
Medieval Latin sophisticatus
Synonym Discussion of sophisticated
SOPHISTICATED Defined for English Language Learners
sophisticated
playDefinition of sophisticated for English Language Learners
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: having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, etc.
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: attractive to fashionable or sophisticated people
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: highly developed and complex
SOPHISTICATED Defined for Kids
sophisticated
playDefinition of sophisticated for Students
1 : very complicated sophisticated electronic devices
2 : having a lot of knowledge about the world especially through experience
3 : appealing to a person's intelligence a sophisticated novel
Learn More about sophisticated
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See words that rhyme with sophisticated Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sophisticated Spanish Central: Translation of sophisticated Nglish: Translation of sophisticated for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sophisticated for Arabic speakers
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