1
as in complicating
to make complex or difficult
there's no need to sophisticate something that is beautiful in its simplicity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diluting
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 sophisticating
Logistically accelerating techno-economic interactivity crumbles social order in auto-sophisticating machine runaway.
—
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticating
Verb
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The attacks are complicating US peace talks with Iran, with Tehran insisting that any ceasefire with Washington must include Israel’s operations in Lebanon.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
2 June 2026
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Health officials say the outbreak likely circulated undetected for weeks before it was identified, complicating efforts to trace contacts and isolate infected individuals.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Verb
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In his letter, Markey said using surplus plutonium to produce energy would be significantly more expensive than diluting and disposing of it — the method the federal government was previously using to deal with the waste.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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Last quarter , the narrative against Palo Alto Networks was all its dealmaking was diluting earnings too much.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Or are the Red Sox better off cutting their losses, selling their pending free agents and looking ahead to 2027?—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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For fiscal year 2026, the administration proposed cutting NOAA’s budget by roughly 25 percent and eliminating the agency's research arm, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the division that houses much of its climate work.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The outrage has reverberated across the country ahead of Wednesday's annual Ni Una Menos protest in downtown Buenos Aires, amplifying demands for government action and intensifying criticism of President Javier Milei.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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The outrage has reverberated across the country ahead of Wednesday’s annual Ni Una Menos protest in downtown Buenos Aires, amplifying demands for government action and intensifying criticism of President Javier Milei.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
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As a brand built on ethical fashion on a mission to improve the industry, Everlane—and its CEO—has sold its soul to the devil by associating itself with one (if not the) most polluting fast-fashion player in the world.—
Clara Ludmir,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Engineers and safety experts are solving problems in a new technology that gets us off expensive and polluting fossil fuels.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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On Friday, agents observed a man loading heavy items into a van outside the store and then driving to a nearby mechanic’s shop.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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After loading the bases with no outs in the first inning Monday, two strikeouts followed.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The ever-expanding, replicating, and manipulating series of rooms take scraps and memories of those who pass through it, expanding into something that defies personality or ease.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
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Uribe sued Cepeda for allegedly manipulating witnesses, but the Supreme Court cleared Cepeda of wrongdoing.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The year before that, SARS had emerged, ultimately infecting over 8,000 people in nearly 30 countries.—
Neil Vora,
Time,
22 May 2026
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The outbreak lasted for two years, infecting at least 28,600 people and killing at least 11,325.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticating. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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