as in cosmopolitans
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complexes
to make complex or difficult
there's no need to sophisticate something that is beautiful in its simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dilutes
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
vanilla extract that has been sophisticated with corn syrup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticates
Verb
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As climate change intensifies large-scale wildfires in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the invisible work of scientists becomes even more critical to the protection of public lands, Townsend says.—
Dua Anjum,
Rolling Stone,
14 Mar. 2025 -
What to Know The latest funding threat comes as the administration intensifies its oversight of academic institutions.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In both places, the virus also infects immune cells that carry it to the lymph nodes, and from there, throughout the body.—
Peter Kasson,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2025
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This highly contagious bird flu infects flocks that must then be culled to prevent the spread of the disease, thereby slashing the number of laying hens and ultimately the stockpile of eggs, ratcheting up the price.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Processing rare earths often involves the use of solvents, which can produce toxic waste that pollutes the soil, water, and atmosphere.—
Jason Neely and Eric Onstad,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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Strong winds fan the fast-moving fires and smoke pollutes the air.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA TODAY,
9 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sophisticates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticates. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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