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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of elaborate
Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Chintz, in short, is a cotton fabric that’s adorned with elaborate floral, botanical, and paisley patterns in bright or pastel shades of blue, yellow, green, pink, etc.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
The Senate bill codifies these eligibility standards for applicants, but elaborates further on what the state will report to the federal government on non-citizens.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Adjective
Particularly at this moment in American history, when those people seem to be grifting and lying in new and elaborate ways.
—Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Chintz, in short, is a cotton fabric that’s adorned with elaborate floral, botanical, and paisley patterns in bright or pastel shades of blue, yellow, green, pink, etc.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
While the website briefly touches on the reference’s history, the CIA didn’t elaborate on what prompted the decision to cease publication or whether any of the information would be archived on the CIA’s website.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
The Senate bill codifies these eligibility standards for applicants, but elaborates further on what the state will report to the federal government on non-citizens.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
Adjective
-
It was produced by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and provides an even more detailed overview of other interviews conducted by the New York State Attorney’s Office and the FBI with victims, witnesses and people associated with Epstein.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But district leaders said a recent increase in protests — particularly those that moved off campus — prompted the need for clearer, more detailed protocols.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But even such a thorough torching of Mandelson’s political career might not be enough to save Starmer’s.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Then, moving forward, give this spot a thorough check and clean twice a year minimum.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That alone distinguishes Bienvenu’s take on a futuristic reality from most sci-fi narratives, which often occur in sleek, cold labs, desolate planets, or intricate spaceships floating in the vastness of space.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The dress was adorned with intricate three-dimensional floral details at the top and also down at the hip at the start of the slit, with more delicate beaded embellishments cascading along the bare leg.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But looming is the question of whether the federal immigration officers who pulled the triggers in both cases actually broke the law, a question that will come down to complicated issues that are much harder to define than the outrage that prompted calls for accountability.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under the current appropriations, a full statewide implementation was not feasible.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That plate represents a full day of eating, not every meal, Mokari said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.—
MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
More complex filings, such as returns involving small businesses with employees, rental income or the alternative minimum tax, may not be eligible for preparation, according to the program’s website.—
Alex Perry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The company says the architecture supports predictable handling during complex flight phases.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Insights into Alzheimer’s Interestingly, the molecular tricks spiders use to spin their webs are similar to the sophisticated signaling processes found in human neurotransmitter and hormone receptors.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Fleming, who was one of the judges this year, said the event’s growth is indicative of the large number of sophisticated bakeries that have opened in metro Denver in the past few years and of the camaraderie that exists between their pastry chefs.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
