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
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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.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Seedlip is ideal for non-alcoholic spritzes, palomas, cosmopolitans and similar classics.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
War complicates the domestic front, turning any dissent into treason.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
-
This complicates the story that weight-loss marketing is often offering to consumers.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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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.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
-
While most vegetables contain 80 to 90 percent water, overwatering adds too much moisture and dilutes the flavor of the harvest.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 June 2026
Verb
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But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The duo then wheels the mower down the walkway and loads it onto their trailer before taking off.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Beginning June 24, three certificates that cryptographically verify that each piece of firmware and software that loads during system boot will expire.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2026
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.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Quantum exposure cuts across data, supplier contracts, capital allocation, customer commitments, regulatory adequacy and board appetite.—
Maman Ibrahim,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
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For instance, its strategic partner Cone Denim is only a five-minute drive from Parras, and the group ensures that textiles are available by pre-booking and reserving fabrics, which cuts six to eight weeks out of the process.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Roasting peaches intensifies their flavor, and in this old-school recipe, they're mashed and mixed into a rich custard before churning into a creamy, fruit-forward ice cream.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
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Still, as the day unfolds, the sun's alignment to Pluto intensifies deeper fears around control, recognition and power.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticates. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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