sophisticate 1 of 2

noun

sə-ˈfi-sti-kət How to pronounce sophisticate (audio)
Definition of sophisticatenext
as in cosmopolitan
a person with the outlook, experience, and manners thought to be typical of big city dwellers sophisticates laughing at people they thought of as hicks

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sophisticate

2 of 2

verb

sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkāt How to pronounce sophisticate (audio)
1
as in to complex
to make complex or difficult there's no need to sophisticate something that is beautiful in its simplicity

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2
as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances vanilla extract that has been sophisticated with corn syrup

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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 sophisticate
Noun
Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026 Despite parents’ efforts, allowances aren’t necessarily minting a new generation of financial sophisticates. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
The decor is sophisticated with gold and cream accents, leather bed heads and flecked carpet. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026 Her look is proof that the polarizing silhouette can be sophisticated and is also well on its way to becoming a modern classic. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sophisticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticate
  1. cosmopolitan
  2. complicate
  3. dilute
  4. dirty
  5. load
  6. poison
  7. thin
  8. cut
Noun
  • But her perspective is internet-era cosmopolitan; young but preternaturally wise about self-reliance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • As long as the overall drink remains sufficiently boozy, cocktails that contain citrus—such as margaritas, daiquiris, and cosmopolitans—can also work well or just require a few slight tweaks.
    — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
Definition of cosmopolitan
Verb
  • But the question for Jeffries, of just how much of an example to make out of the betrayal, was immediately complicated by several factors.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • No longer being waiver exempt also potentially complicates his situation.
    — Scott Powers, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of complicate
Verb
  • But aside from the economic benefits, there have been concerns about the league diluting its talent pool by getting too big, too fast.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • On international reach, Shergill says Indian humor does not need to be diluted to travel abroad.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of dilute
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • Once lake levels are no longer safe for the largest ships to pass, the Panama Canal Authority, the agency in charge of the canal, begins to restrict their maximum draft, meaning how deep into the water the ships sink when loaded.
    — Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The company detected the problem when the new hire’s workstation began loading malware.
    — Michael Engle, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of load
Verb
  • Over the course of Exile, one of Loktev’s subjects is poisoned; another receives a five-year prison sentence in absentia.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • This is the league, remember, where a man (Harvey Updyke) confessed to poisoning the trees at Auburn on a radio show after Alabama lost to the Tigers, and a coach (Jackie Sherrill at Mississippi State) castrated a bull to motivate his squad.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of poison
Verb
  • The notes of bergamot, pink mint, cedar, and musk turn this thinning hair treatment into a luxury form of self-care.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Yet further down in Dana Point is where the crowds thin out and the gorgeous coastline of rocky cliffs, endless beaches, and bright blue ocean waves come into focus.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of thin
Verb
  • North Carolina Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives cut all ties with one of their candidates running for the state legislature after her past social media posts about violence against Republicans came to light.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Krohn put in new sprinklers and fire-safety systems after his last renters moved out a few years ago, then cut a hole between the second and third floors, allowing more light and air to filter through what is now a unified owner’s duplex.
    — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of cut

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Cite this Entry

“Sophisticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticate. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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