Synonyms of elaborate

elaborate 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈla-b(ə-)rət 

1

as in detailed

made or done with great care or with much detail

elaborate festivities for the 200th anniversary of the town's founding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• detailed
• intricate
• complicated
• elegant
• complex
• sophisticated
• fancy
• involved
• exquisite
• ornate
• magnificent
• extravagant
• splendid
• showy
• grandiose
• Byzantine
• convoluted
• grand
• exuberant
• flamboyant
• ostentatious
• frilly
• overwrought
• labyrinthine
• fancified
• souped-up
• involuted
• chichi
• labyrinthian
• involute
• gimmicked (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simple
• unsophisticated
• modest
• plain
• uncomplicated
• no-frills
• unfancy
• unadorned
• naked
• bare
• bald
• unvarnished
• plain-vanilla
• undecorated
• plain-Jane

2

as in thorough

including many small descriptive features

the elaborate world known as Middle Earth that J.R.R. Tolkien created in his richly imagined novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

• detailed
• thorough
• full
• comprehensive
• particular
• descriptive
• particularized
• circumstantial
• accurate
• specific
• minute
• complete
• entire
• blow-by-blow
• graphical
• graphic
• vivid
• precise
• explicit
• itemized
• panoramic
• copious
• exhaustive
• enumerated
• abundant
• distinct
• specified
• encyclopedic
• inclusive
• listed
• correct
• thoroughgoing
• exhausting
• exact
• picturesque
• in-depth
• numerated
• delineated
• replete
• omnibus
• inventoried
• inclusionary
• mapped (out)
• sharp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• summary
• brief
• short
• compendious
• concise
• succinct
• pithy
• compact
• terse
• abbreviated
• vague
• crisp
• ambiguous
• cut
• trimmed
• curtailed
• sketchy
• abridged
• general
• shortened
• nebulous
• indeterminate
• pruned
• nondescript
• broad
• nonspecific
• unspecified
• overall
• bird's-eye

3

as in intricate

having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated

plans for a huge mall that will actually be an elaborate center for sports, entertainment, and shopping

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intricate
• complicated
• complicate
• complex
• sophisticated
• convoluted
• tangled
• labyrinthine
• involved
• baroque
• byzantine
• knotty
• difficult
• varied
• labyrinthian
• involute
• daedal
• mixed
• multifaceted
• composite
• multifarious
• heterogeneous
• challenging
• overcomplicated
• compound
• overcomplex
• inexplicable
• tough
• incomprehensible
• unintelligible
• multipart
• unfathomable
• multibranched
• impenetrable
• Kafkaesque

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• simple
• plain
• uncomplicated
• simplistic
• simplified
• noncomplex
• uniform
• noncomplicated
• homogeneous
• oversimplified
• unvaried

elaborate

2 of 2

verb

i-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt 

as in to unfold

to gradually become clearer or more detailed

as mankind's understanding of the universe has elaborated

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unfold
• evolve
• progress
• develop
• proceed
• grow
• emerge
• mature
• get along
• get on
• march
• advance
• forge
• fare
• blossom
• materialize
• play out
• ripen

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of elaborate

Adjective

The resulting shoot of the photographs come to life resembled a very elaborate, very expensive mannequin challenge, though Brooker prefers to liken it to a stage play. —Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2025

The elaborate enamelwork and unique gemstone settings underscore the craftsmanship and artistry, creating a sense of fantasy and romance. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Verb

Sydney Sweeney Parties in Las Vegas with MGK and Patrick Schwarzenegger Following Split from Her Fiancé Sweeney also elaborated on her decision to keep her love life private in a February 2022 cover story for Cosmpolitan. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 31 May 2025

Reached by phone, Bryon disputed Forbes’ valuation of Noem Insurance, but declined to answer further questions or elaborate. —Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Phrases Containing elaborate

• elaborate (on)