1
as in detailed
made or done with great care or with much detail
elaborate festivities for the 200th anniversary of the town's founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thorough
including many small descriptive features
the elaborate world known as Middle Earth that J.R.R. Tolkien created in his richly imagined novels
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in intricate
having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated
plans for a huge mall that will actually be an elaborate center for sports, entertainment, and shopping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of elaborate
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Whether the heist is real or an elaborate marketing play, the response has generated widespread attention — and KitKat appeared ready for it.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
The official did not elaborate on what those were but suggested that a reduction in funding for NATO was one of them.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Adjective
There’s no need for elaborate, high-tech designs, only a sensitivity to ventilation, shade, openness, and materials that feel rooted in local life.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Whether the heist is real or an elaborate marketing play, the response has generated widespread attention — and KitKat appeared ready for it.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Unlike Apollo, which focused on fast flags and footprints in a breakneck race against the Soviet Union, Artemis is striving for a sustainable moon base elaborate enough to satisfy even the most hard-core science fiction fans.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
The official did not elaborate on what those were but suggested that a reduction in funding for NATO was one of them.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
Adjective
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More smart scales are now including a handlebar to provide detailed insights into fat and muscle distribution across different parts of the body.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The detailed biographies of every correspondent make, in themselves, a whole picture of the cultural and political life of the early twentieth century.—
Hermione Lee,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Those needs are likely to mean a more thorough dive into the transfer portal and additional exploration of the Canadian major junior leagues — two areas where Motzko’s program did not play very often.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
4 Apr. 2026
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Not just a quick pass with a vacuum, but a real, thorough clean — especially when the seasons change.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some were draped in ivy, others adorned with pink blossoms, but none are forgotten by nature’s touch—each brought to life by the intricate details that transport you into a postcard of the Italian countryside.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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Drawing inspiration from the human hand’s intricate design and proprioceptive capabilities, this study aims to enhance the dexterity of robotic hands, particularly in multi-degree-of-freedom (DoF) motion and posture perception.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This newsroom-wide project brings fast facts as stories unfold — making sure our local officials and institutions are telling the truth, serving our communities well and following through on their promises.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
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Others find their true calling much earlier in life—but few can top Logan Brown, a legal AI entrepreneur who watched court cases unfold before her recess days were over.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And in South Florida groups have stepped in to support migrants navigating complicated immigration processes, from deportation to self-deportation, often filling gaps left by government systems.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
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But determining what percentage of the population would stay and fight is complicated.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The car was full of suitcases, and his father was sitting in the front seat, scrolling on his phone.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen were launched Wednesday and, after spending a full day checking out the Orion spacecraft, the ship left Earth orbit Thursday and headed for the moon.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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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
-
Planets typically evolve from the rotating dust and gas disc encompassing a young star.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
2 Apr. 2026
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The collection merges advanced material engineering with innovative fiber compositions and a refined design language, offering a new perspective on how denim can evolve—both technically and aesthetically.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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