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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
The race by both sides to develop increasingly sophisticated and deadlier drones has turned the war into a testing ground for new weaponry. Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 The upper is made of a breathable cotton-linen blend, and the shoes have an accent trim that gives them a sophisticated appearance. Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2025 The account falsely opened in Middlesex’s name, and many others like it, are way stations in a sophisticated multistep money laundering process that transports cash from U.S. scam victims to crime syndicate bosses in Asia. Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 25 June 2025 Designer Rosanna Bossom and new owner Tara MacBain have blended a sophisticated touch with the exuberance of the 1970s in what was once a sort of gentlemen’s club, and that is now open to everyone, with an alfresco terrace emphasizing its unwavering attachment to the neighborhood. Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sophisticated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticated
Adjective
  • Opened in 1979—years before South Korea’s capital morphed into the cosmopolitan city it’s recognized as today—this property has long been cherished by locals for its classic design, convenient address in Myeongdong, and direct access to the famed Lotte Department Store.
    Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • North Tehran is wealthy, cosmopolitan and has many tall buildings and modern hotels.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sharper, higher quality steel blades are manufactured by a Swiss company specializing in intricate watch components, and the program lets each attendee choose their own mix of blades and accessories.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The brand scouts artisans around the world who specialize in various techniques, from intricate embroidery to weaving, beadwork and tailoring.
    Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The chrysoprase cabochons on a necklace from the house’s 2025 high-jewelry collection demonstrate their enduringly graceful symmetry.
    Jill Newman, Robb Report, 29 June 2025
  • The unlikely but true tale of a multimillion dollar, inside job heist, the 2016 film is a crazy cinematic ride with a who’s who of A-list funny folk and moments hilariously dumb and graceful, romantic and ruinous.
    Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Women’s European Championship gets under way on Wednesday and our writers have spent recent months studying the teams to bring you detailed guides for all of the 16 competing nations.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 29 June 2025
  • With more powerful telescopes and new printing technologies, astronomers began applying the cartographic tools of geographers to create the first detailed maps of the planet’s surface, filling it in with continents and seas, and in some cases features that could have been produced by life.
    Matthew Shindell, Space.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • 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, 12 Apr. 2025
  • As the water diluted the stains, the fabric faded to a soft pink.
    Rebecca Ruth Gould, JSTOR Daily, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The lead character is the prince, who doesn’t want to be on the throne and is not really that smart.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • She’s got that great State Farm commercial where everything’s better from the logo – terrific ad, very smart.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Many of the children have trauma and complicated needs, and one of the responses may be to run away.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
  • And the touchscreen, although not the quickest, wasn’t overly complicated either.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • In Families Like Ours, the slowly rising North Sea forces Denmark to follow Holland’s example and—in an orderly and civilized manner—evacuate the entire country.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 21 June 2025
  • In civilized countries, law enforcement officers wear nametags and numbered badges.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sophisticated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticated. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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