elaborate (on)

Definition of elaborate (on)next
1
as in to exaggerate
to add to the interest of by including made-up details my friend tends to elaborate on his hiking experiences, turning an ordinary walk in the woods into a hair-raising adventure

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2
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail the candidate for governor refused to elaborate on how she would balance the state's budget

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate (on)
Verb
  • Allegations that are now spreading online could be misinterpreting records or exaggerating minor issues — or could be exposing actual fraudulent activity.
    Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
  • For instance, Venus opposing Jupiter retrograde can exaggerate desires or emotional spending, while the sun, Mars and Mercury opposing Jupiter can result in overextension or impulsive decision-making.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers have developed a new type of material that can passively cool buildings and capture water directly from the air – all without energy input.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Giving evidence about his spat with Vine, which developed when the 60-year-old speculated whether Barton had a brain injury after his posts about Aluko and Ward, he was stopped by Menary.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Late in the game, Jordan Davison scored on a 1-yard run on fourth down to pad the final margin.
    Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Simons sat for the first six minutes of the second half, watching as Payton Pritchard padded Boston’s lead with a pair of threes and an and-one jumper.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Flywing also plans to expand the competitive side of the platform.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Neutrality allowed the nation to build strength, expand westward, and avoid the ideological contagions sweeping the continent.
    Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Online courses are ubiquitous now in the remote era and, for the right candidate, can be the ideal way to supplement your income without having to sacrifice your full-time work schedule.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • On the other hand, exercise—especially via the leg muscles—can supplement mental activity in a meaningful way.
    Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Elaborate (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate%20%28on%29. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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