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elaborate

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verb

as in to unfold
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as mankind's understanding of the universe has elaborated

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 elaborate
Adjective
Across the pond, Cadbury World in the United Kingdom will unveil an elaborate chocolate sculpture to celebrate their grand reopening following a massive renovation. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025 Elmquist and Lone Bellow bandmate Kanene Pipkin built an elaborate gospel choir by singing into the same microphone two voices at a time, layering 18-20 total voices in three different frequencies. Tom Roland, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
His attorney declined to elaborate on next steps. Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025 These genius display ideas, from simple to elaborate, will make your Halloween yard the envy of the neighborhood. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
Adjective
  • By carefully analyzing the subtle interactions of these signals, the technology can generate a highly detailed and accurate representation of a person’s presence, posture, and movement that is comparable to a camera snapshot, but constructed entirely from radio waves.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Whereas criminal suspects in this past may have been incriminated by a Google query on, say, how to clean up bloodstains, a more comprehensive, detailed back-and-forth with a tool like ChatGPT gives investigators far more opportunities to prove intent and mindset, Lee explains.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ability to manage growth in a manner that reflects the reasons people find Matthews attractive, create a budget that is thorough and efficient, ability to work with citizens and town leaders to maintain Matthews’ sense of self.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The dealmaking process has been thorough and lengthy, with the 27-member trade bloc and the largest nation in South Asia having met 14 times for negotiations, the last being in Brussels last week.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Defensive struggles are all connected, because football is beautifully intricate like that, but the secondary is a problem.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Shortly after its dawn, dresses produced by Paris’ leading fashion houses, such as Poiret, Chanel and Lanvin, were envisaged with the same geometric, linear designs and intricate decorations that were characteristic of the revolutionary movement.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps if Wims caught that score-tying pass in the first quarter, the entire game would have unfolded differently.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Written and directed by Rel Dowdell, Train Ride unfolds on the campus of Cheyney University, the nation’s oldest historically Black college.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Moreover, parlay bets are getting more complicated as time goes on, decreasing the chances of winning.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Peter Hedges’s drama about a young recovering addict (Lucas Hedges) coming back unannounced to his family starts off promisingly, with Roberts’s supportive but wary character trying to manage her complicated feelings about her son’s return.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our hearts are extra full this week 🥰 #DedicationNight featuring our stars’ special guests is TONIGHT - 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Keep reading for a full recap from week 5 of Dancing with the Stars.
    Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Despite differing views on a variety of security issues, the group, like Gilpatric’s, reached a clear consensus: nuclear proliferation by any additional country would diminish U.S. power, complicate strategic planning, and increase the likelihood of nuclear use, accidents, and disasters.
    MARIANO-FLORENTINO CUÉLLAR, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The founders envision the store evolving organically as a blank canvas shaped by the neighborhood and scene.
    Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
  • What began as fascination evolved into inspiration.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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