SOPHISTICATES Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

sophisticates 1 of 2

noun

plural of sophisticate

as in cosmopolitans

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

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sophisticates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of sophisticate

as in complexes

to make complex or difficult there's no need to sophisticate something that is beautiful in its simplicity

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as in dilutes

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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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 sophisticates

Noun

The homeowners, who launched the modern apothecary brand Malin+Goetz in 2004 out of a white-box Manhattan storefront, have settled into life as rural sophisticates. — Laura Regensdorf, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 Heartland churchgoers, urban sophisticates, football neophytes—everyone got swept up in his will to win. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026 Despite parents’ efforts, allowances aren’t necessarily minting a new generation of financial sophisticates. — Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sophisticates

Noun

Eylan also puts its own spin on classic cocktails including old-fashioneds, Manhattans and cosmopolitans.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
As long as the overall drink remains sufficiently boozy, cocktails that contain citrus—such as margaritas, daiquiris, and cosmopolitans—can also work well or just require a few slight tweaks.

— Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

Definition of cosmopolitans

Verb

Iran war complicates interest rate debate Earlier this year, the FOMC wrestled with lowering rates versus holding them steady despite higher prices.

— Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026
This high salt content complicates conventional whey processing, while the combination of salt and a large amount of organic material also makes simply dumping the stuff a bad idea.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of complicates

Verb

Shaking the gin and lemon juice with simple syrup and ice properly dilutes the cocktail and adds a delicate sweetness.

— Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026
In her view, turning storied hotels into social-media backdrops dilutes the exclusivity that defining properties once guaranteed.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of dilutes

Verb

When your site loads quickly, visitors may stay longer, browse more and be more likely to convert.

— Anthony Savino, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The main sleeper pod packs down small to store easily at home, then loads neatly into small and midsize vans only to burst out the tailgate at camp and create an instant bedroom.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of loads

Verb

Or from locking up Mick Cronin through 2030, even though UCLA’s prickly basketball coach embarrasses the university annually and hasn’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2023.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?

— Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of embarrasses

Verb

The column also presents the military leadership cuts as a reason for concern about the resilience of democratic institutions, especially if experienced leaders are removed while the administration concentrates power.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Then, the film cuts to show our protagonist’s hand hovering in front of a slide projector displaying a plot of cheap land in South Carolina where nuclear weapons were developed during the Cold War.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of cuts

Verb

The disclosure intensifies criticism of officials who dismissed concerns about sailors’ conditions as the administration offers no clear timeline for ending the war.

— Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Deforestation contributes to erosion, damages biodiverse areas, threatens wildlife and humans who rely on the forest, and intensifies disasters from extreme weather.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of intensifies

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sophisticated

sophisticates

sophisticating

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“Sophisticates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticates. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of sophisticates

noun

verb

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