sophistication

noun

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

1

a

: 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 of sophistication

• complexity
• complexness

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

Militant Islamist groups, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and ISIS, have demonstrated increasing sophistication in their use of UAVs, employing them not only for reconnaissance but also for complex attack operations. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

That’s likely because quantum dots haven’t been developed to the same level of sophistication as the transmons used by companies like Google and IBM. —ArsTechnica, 8 May 2026

The midi length design of the skirt added even more sophistication to the look. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

Reports suggest that these demonstrations highlight the sophistication of Atlas’s whole-body control system, pointing toward practical applications where robots must operate in complex, constrained environments. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for sophistication

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

sophistication

noun

so·​phis·​ti·​ca·​tion sə-ˌfis-tə-ˈkā-shən 

: the process or result of making impure or weak : adulteration

sophistication of a drug