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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Less precise bombs could mean more civilian casualties, complicating the war and angering even Iranians who wanted a regime change.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
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Hunt, a Houston-area congressman and military veteran, entered the race later, complicating the anti-Paxton lane and reshaping the dynamics.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The result was the Kings having one of the slowest, oldest and least skilled defense corps in the NHL, diluting what had been the core strength of their roster in recent years and the fulcrum of their check-for-chances system.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
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Make a mopping solution by diluting laundry detergent with water.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After cutting direct military aid to Ukraine last year, Washington even reached out to Kyiv for its expertise in countering Iranian drones, which Russia uses to attack it.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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During one spurt, the freshman put up eight points in less than four minutes, cutting UCLA’s lead to 11.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And right here in Florida, intensifying disasters and disinformation combine to endanger our lives, damage our livelihoods, threaten our military communities and divide our citizens.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
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The Korean studio’s upcoming slate suggests its awards ambitions and international goals are only intensifying.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cows are responsible for many millions of pounds of nitrogen every year, polluting Florida’s springs, rivers and estuaries.—
Harper West,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
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The settlement continues Oklahoma’s progress in holding poultry companies accountable for polluting the Illinois River Watershed, Drummond said.—
Barbara Hoberock,
Oklahoman,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Aramco has been redirecting oil cargoes to Red Sea facilities on Saudi Arabia’s west coast to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, with eight supertankers loading from the area this month.—
Christine Burke,
Bloomberg,
8 Mar. 2026
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Yes, blueberries are great, but the key isn’t loading up on a single fruit.—
Lynn Andriani,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s a rich commonality between him and Venus that could be explored here—who’s manipulating Rika more?—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
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Epstein offered to host Mandelson in a New York apartment in 2009, about five months before the two discussed by email manipulating then-British premier Gordon Brown to step down.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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People who develop symptoms after an exposure should call before seeking medical care, to reduce the odds of infecting others.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
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As the train departs, a sick woman begins transitioning into a zombie — and infecting everyone around her.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticating. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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