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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sophisticate
James Powel, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Those are welcome at the box office, but would face a steep climb with the film Academy’s growing crowd of international sophisticates.
—Michael Cieply, Deadline, 1 July 2024
Rumaan Alam, New York Times, 21 May 2024
But there are no chips or computerized warning systems sophisticated enough to predict Taiwan’s biggest threat: a deepening political and economic rivalry between the United States and China that threatens to enfold the entire world.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sophisticate
Noun
Want to make your witch a mid-century modern sophisticate?
—James Powel, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Those are welcome at the box office, but would face a steep climb with the film Academy’s growing crowd of international sophisticates.
—Michael Cieply, Deadline, 1 July 2024
Verb
Poverty and purpose are more intractable problems, but fate brings Gordon into the circle of the West Village sophisticates Philip and Nicola.
—Rumaan Alam, New York Times, 21 May 2024
But there are no chips or computerized warning systems sophisticated enough to predict Taiwan’s biggest threat: a deepening political and economic rivalry between the United States and China that threatens to enfold the entire world.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sophisticate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticate
Noun
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Is whiskey a man’s spirit, while women are only allowed to sip cosmopolitans?—
Jessi Roti,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The season’s final scene was with Seema (Choudhury) and Carrie drinking cosmopolitans on the beach in Greece.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Follow label directions to dilute the concentrate before spraying.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 May 2025
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Han and Li’s student-teacher relationship in particular is diluted and lacks necessary grounding, and there’s little compelling friction between the two masters to make up for it.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Finding the ideal sleeper sofa for your home can be complicated.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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While their relationship is complicated, to say the least, Serena doesn't want to see June executed.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Crème Brûlée Steve Granitz Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
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He’s come through with timely hits, dirtied his uniform on the bases and made an impact with his arm in the outfield.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With the bases now loaded and no one out, Cole started to rear back.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Anthony Volpe couldn't make the throw to third base, and the Dodgers suddenly had the bases loaded and nobody out.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Verb
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As the film unfolds, Wilson finds out that Sterns, the movie's villain, has been the mastermind behind the entire plot and has been poisoning Ross with gamma rays via pills for years.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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Intermediately, because a member of Ethan’s team, Claire (Emmanuelle Béart) has poisoned Donloe, which results in Donloe having some pretty intense gastrointestinal reactions.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
27 May 2025
Verb
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So the idea that you should get rid of some of the tender little seedlings to thin out the plants seems almost heartbreaking.—
Viveka Neveln,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
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If players need to stun enemies, the Cycler can shock swarming adversaries, giving players the opportunity to thin the herd.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Republican bill cuts Medicaid for unemployed, undocumented children, Planned Parenthood How much do Americans rely on programs like Medicaid and Social Security?—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The president has cut the Israelis out of regional decision making and reportedly kiboshed a plan to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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