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elaborate

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verb (1)

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

elaborate (on)

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verb (2)

1
as in to exaggerate
to add to the interest of by including made-up details my friend tends to elaborate on his hiking experiences, turning an ordinary walk in the woods into a hair-raising adventure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail the candidate for governor refused to elaborate on how she would balance the state's budget

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 elaborate
Adjective
But its glass bottles come from India, its elaborate labels from a specialty printer in Britain and its corks from Mexico or Argentina. Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 Fun fact: Lazlo's steam tunnel hideout, accessible through Mitch's closet, is an elaborate homage to Leonardo da Vinci. ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
When asked to elaborate, Rodriguez answered bluntly. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 In a panel at PaleyFest in 2008, Chambers elaborated on how his role came to be. Jane Lacroix, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
Adjective
  • Shah mainly prioritizes user experience, offers trustworthy course reviews, and creates detailed guides to build credibility and trust on the platform.
    Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
  • This led to a detailed dialogue that was quite interesting and factored those facets into further advice about my mental health going forward.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Before starting an application server migration, ensure the middleware provider offers comprehensive migration resources and conducts a thorough review of your current architecture.
    Steve Millidge, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The manual work process was as impressive as the thorough understanding of quality choices.
    Mark Holgate, Vogue, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • His big toes included the Texas pickle brand’s logo, and his remaining toes included intricate nail art to resemble pickles.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Although against a group of vibrant, hungry players who hunt like wolves before fizzing and whizzing in possession, with relentless ball speed and intricate rotations, Villa could only make up for the deficit in quality and European pedigree through hard work.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump’s tariffs aim to bring jobs and factories back to the U.S., but the reality is more complicated.
    Bruce Gil, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Any hedge fund or investment bank with an ability to do some complicated hedges is in a position to jump into the fray.
    William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Read the full story by Khaleda Rahman on Newsweek.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • There are extensive drawbacks to using nuclear weapons, including their very destructiveness—which could undermine larger objectives or complicate battlefield operations—and the international backlash that would follow.
    Paul Avey, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Since the Trump administration took office, environmental activists have feared that certain existing standards could be rolled back and further complicate efforts to clean up American water supplies.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • For a more complex generic cancer medication, the price of a six-month supply could be inflated by as much as $10,000, according to estimates from Diederik Stadig, an economist at ING, a European bank.
    Rebecca Robbins, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The military from Earth returns for the film, and the central conflict becomes more complex.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The followup stars Jared Leto as a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with AI beings.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Inside the lines, however, each hole connects to very sophisticated emitter that releases water one drop at a time.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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