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
  • Ed Yohnka, spokesman for Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said Flock has, in some cases, exaggerated how the technology contributes to public safety.
    Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But the Forbes report cast scrutiny and said Pierson exaggerated her readership and the valuation of her newsletter.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The hurricane center has given it 50% odds of developing in the next seven days, and 30% odds over the next 48 hours as of Thursday.
    Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a company has developed surf booties that claim to be barb-resistant — though swimmers are urged to still tread lightly to avoid trampling the rays.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Dreamy interludes pad the space between tracks with humming synths and strings; sometimes songs dissolve into floating mood pieces, anchored by a drone or loop.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2026
  • She was then treated and cleared for travel, and her sling was padded with foam to keep her from flailing her tail.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Investors have increasingly scrutinized the chipmaker’s expanding financial ties with major AI customers.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
  • New business models such as Walmart supercenters, Costco warehouse clubs and Trader Joe’s specialty stores expanded the abundance further.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In Kansas, parties have a duty to supplement or correct discovery production in a timely manner, Mikesic said.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
  • How to supplement Social Security Social Security is only expected to replace a portion of your pre-retirement earnings, making other savings an important part of most post-employment financial plans.
    Brian Sloan, CNBC, 12 Aug. 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 18 Aug. 2026.

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