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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sophisticates
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticates
Noun
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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.
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Seedlip is ideal for non-alcoholic spritzes, palomas, cosmopolitans and similar classics.
Verb
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Critics counter that ranked choice helps candidates game the system, complicates the process, disenfranchises voters such as older adults and communities of color, and takes longer to count, which could fuel conspiracy theories.
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The instinctive Moon settles into your 4th House of Home, while rule-making Saturn in your 11th House of Friends sets structure, creating a quincunx that complicates plans and messages.
Verb
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Alphabet went the other way and issued stock, which dilutes existing shareholders but adds no fixed interest bill to meet whether or not the AI bet pays off.
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Among other changes, the new law dilutes some of the influence the mayor of Chicago has over the executive appointment process at the CTA, which has been led for more than a year by an acting president, Nora Leerhsen.
Verb
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.
Verb
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Heck, maybe Hiller loads up one line and plays Zuccarello, Matthews, and Nylander together.
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No sauce makes for easier eating, but this spice rub still loads on the flavor.
Verb
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Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?
Verb
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Amid rising travel costs, Nguyen prioritizes travel in her budget and cuts expenses elsewhere.
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If the business stabilizes, cuts costs, sells an underperforming division, or improves capital allocation, the stock can re-rate quickly.
Verb
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Very dry weather tends to lead to higher temperatures, which causes more evaporation that intensifies the drought—leading to even drier conditions, Myers explained.
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Taiwan’s defense ministry on Sunday announced a five-day combat readiness exercise as China intensifies military activity around the island.
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticates. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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