as in cosmopolitan
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 to complex
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 to dilute
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sophisticate
Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
Our whole watch staff has been struck by the pale green watches of early 2024, by how the calm color sophisticates and distinguishes a watch without falling into overstatement, ostentation, or bling.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024
Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
Plus, the vegan leather accents, as Oprah mentioned, really sophisticate the piece and pull its colors together.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for sophisticate
Noun
The idea, which came from screenwriter Richard Curtis, was to have two upper-middle-class urban sophisticates subbing in for the rural Wayne archetype.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
Our whole watch staff has been struck by the pale green watches of early 2024, by how the calm color sophisticates and distinguishes a watch without falling into overstatement, ostentation, or bling.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024
Verb
Rapid digital transformations have sophisticated modern consumers expecting seamless, personalized brand interactions across channels — transient engagements that must delight customers to earn their loyalty.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
Plus, the vegan leather accents, as Oprah mentioned, really sophisticate the piece and pull its colors together.
—Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023
See All Example Sentences for sophisticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticate
Noun
-
Whereas descendants of the British are much more classically viewed as cosmopolitans.—
Isaac Chotiner,
The New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Wildlife fanatics flock to Masai Mara for once-in-a-lifetime safaris, beach lovers island-hop through the turquoise waters of the Lamu Archipelago, and cosmopolitans appreciate Nairobi's growing culinary and art scene.—
Hannah Towey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Old-timers’ fears of diversity diluting the unique Vienna affect — the blend of instruments being a wonder of the orchestral world — proved unsurprisingly unfounded.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Expand only when revenue and opportunity justify it, allowing growth without diluting your brand or abandoning your core audience.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That’s the one thing that could get complicated, at least from a hitter’s perspective.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
-
Figuring out the best time to apply can be complicated.—
Liz Weston,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The other was allegedly found on a shelf next to the safe, which state police claimed was improperly stored and loaded, according to the warrant affidavit.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Chain of events The malware was loaded in four stages, each of which acted as a building block for the next.—
Dan Goodin,
Ars Technica,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Sergio Pino’s attorney Deanna Shifrin denied the poisoning allegations, pointing to comments Tatiana made in a December 2023 deposition stating that no healthcare provider had concluded she had been poisoned.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Today sends a message to every cartel leader, every trafficker, every criminal poisoning our communities: You will be held accountable.—
Polo Sandoval,
CNN,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Often, those who consider their eyebrows to be thinning begin penciling in their brows, and thus are more observant of the state of their brows.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Transition to new ownership Employees and patients waited months to learn the fate of their Steward hospitals, which were put up for sale as part of the company’s restructuring plan to thin its $9 billion debt.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Within the scheme’s first week, traffic had fallen by 7.5%, with 273,000 fewer cars entering Manhattan’s central business district, and travel times on inbound river crossings had been cut by more than a third, leading to faster bus journeys.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The bill could also force Washington, D.C., to cut $1.1 billion in spending, affecting public safety and education.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticate. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share