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sophisticated

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verb

past tense of sophisticate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sophisticated differ from other similar words?

The words blasé and worldly-wise are common synonyms of sophisticated. While all three words mean "experienced in the ways of the world," sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation.

guests at her salon were usually rich and sophisticated

When might blasé be a better fit than sophisticated?

The meanings of blasé and sophisticated largely overlap; however, blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation.

blasé travelers who claimed to have been everywhere

In what contexts can worldly-wise take the place of sophisticated?

Although the words worldly-wise and sophisticated have much in common, worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism.

a worldly-wise woman with a philosophy of personal independence

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 sophisticated
Adjective
Ransomware has grown more sophisticated as well. Ro'ee Margalit, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 With its plaid, which is in a simple gray color scheme, the midi-dress becomes the perfect mix of casual and sophisticated. Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Entire ecosystems of expertise had blossomed in academia and government to model the scenarios that might lead to Armageddon, and the resulting game theory, though sophisticated, was relatively straightforward. Andreas Kluth, Twin Cities, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sophisticated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticated
Adjective
  • Vy Nguyen, taking the reins of the family label, brought not just youth, but a cosmopolitan sensibility honed by nearly a decade of experience in New York’s fashion ecosystem.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Imports make cities and fanbases more cosmopolitan.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His love of American design codes, such as the white T-shirt and sport jerseys, is evident in his manipulation of the garment to become a skirt or in creating an intricate patchwork tank-style dress.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • In living tissue, light scattering is common, signal contrast is often low, and reconstructing intricate features across a large volume presents a significant computational challenge.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • From romantic florals to elegant damasks and bucolic toile scenes, old-world wallpaper is making a grand and graceful return.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2025
  • That honest, messy middle—where ambition meets uncertainty and growth doesn’t always look graceful—has been essential in making Issa’s work so resonant and enduring.
    Essence, Essence, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Users can search for specific properties of geologic units or click on the map for additional geologic information and links to more detailed maps of local areas.
    David Bressan, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • While history is ever present throughout, the Freedom Tower’s installations are created to appeal to 21st century visitors, many through interactive exhibitions, digital content and detailed re-creations.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For Donohue, a one-on-one discussion with Hunt and a later meeting with his constituents further complicated his decision.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Defining a tip in the digital creative space could be complicated, said Alex Muresianu, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation.
    Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There is, though, a very real danger of the quality being diluted sufficiently to damage the EFL brand.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Clean Apple cider vinegar, sometimes referred to as ACV, should always be diluted for cleaning purposes.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • See our review The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is bigger and smarter, just don’t expect more power The six-figure 2025 Lexus LX Hybrid takes full-size luxury to new heights.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Portable smart tire pressure monitors screw onto the valve stem and connect to your phone, offering real-time updates and alerts for slow leaks.
    Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This goes up to six to eight weeks when the fracture is more complex.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In order to embolden and support his organization, bin Laden often videotaped himself with messages aimed at his target audience, established training centers in Afghanistan, had an expansive funding network that included wealthy individuals, couriers, mosques and other complex ways to raise funds.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sophisticated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticated. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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