sophistication

noun

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so·phis·ti·ca·tion | \ sə-ˌfi-stə-ˈkā-shən

Definition of sophistication

1a : the use of sophistry : sophistic reasoning

b : sophism, quibble

2 : the process or result of becoming cultured, knowledgeable, or disillusioned especially : cultivation, urbanity

3 : the process or result of becoming more complex, developed, or subtle

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sophistication

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Examples of sophistication in a Sentence

the engine's sophistication requires that all repairs be done by an experienced mechanic

Recent Examples on the Web Even for upcoming picnics when paper plates are the norm, pulling dishes from the cabinet can add an extra dose of sophistication to the affair. — Washington Post, "20 ideas to help you go green in the kitchen," 26 Apr. 2021 George, who is best known for his custom 14K gold pieces, brings a new level of sophistication through this luxurious design. — Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, "Mother’s Day Gift Guide: The Most Stylish Accessories," 19 Apr. 2021 This large basket can keep all your odds and ends tucked away with a bit of sophistication. — Southern Living, "15 Essential Organizers for Every Area of Your Nursery," 10 Apr. 2021 Pan Am — at the time, the only American airline to fly exclusively international routes — had a particular reputation for sophistication to maintain. — Washington Post, "Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am," 9 Apr. 2021 On paper, that sounds like sweetness overload, but as with all things Bottega, sophistication is vital. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Spring’s Best Fragrances Are Big on Personality," 8 Apr. 2021 For mass deployment across different verticals and sophistication levels, OpenStack was not robust enough, and required a lot of work to stand it up and operate. — Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, "The “Edge-To- Cloud” Race Heats Up With IBM Cloud Satellite," 9 Mar. 2021 The latest ones, which typically charge $40 to $50 per person for a throwing session, aim to up the sophistication factor. — Charles Passy, WSJ, "New York’s Ax-Throwing Bars Hope to Cut Through Pandemic Malaise," 22 Oct. 2020 Six-feet-two-inches of wine-drinking Yankee joie de vivre, Child made sophistication accessible. — Robert Lloyd, chicagotribune.com, "PBS is turning 50. Celebrate with our TV critic’s list of its 13 greatest shows," 8 Oct. 2020

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