elaborate (on)

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
  • In the series, Gacy enjoyed talking about many of his accomplishments and exaggerating some of his stories.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Critics have also said that political portrayals of Antifa as a unified or centrally directed domestic terror group exaggerate its organization and influence.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But while our bodies can develop immunity to viruses, even the savviest of travelers can fall victim to pickpockets on their travels.
    Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Chelsea shared on her Instagram Stories that the toddler had developed transient synovitis from a viral infection.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Although Cameron maintains a steady polling advantage over Barr, third-quarter filings show he’s fallen further behind in padding his campaign coffers ahead of the May 2026 primary.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 23 Oct. 2025
  • These contractors are aware of a potential disruption in income because of the frequency of shutdowns and, as a result, pad their contracts.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The Functional Fabric Fair has also expanded its speaker programming to provide forward-thinking insights and solutions to current challenges.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That footage was obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, though videos taken from cellphones and doorbell cameras, as well as the audio from post-incident interviews, supplement that footage.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
  • If your space doesn’t provide enough natural light, supplement it with a grow light for eight to 10 hours daily.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
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 29 Oct. 2025.

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