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
Relevance
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
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
Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Vivacious Peacock Spiders Peacock spiders have one of the most elaborate and flamboyant courtship rituals of any arachnid.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
The Senate bill codifies these eligibility standards for applicants, but elaborates further on what the state will report to the federal government on non-citizens.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Adjective
Risk is one of the most consequential currencies in geopolitics, and Washington has spent years constructing an elaborate risk architecture around China.
—Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Vivacious Peacock Spiders Peacock spiders have one of the most elaborate and flamboyant courtship rituals of any arachnid.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
While the website briefly touches on the reference’s history, the CIA didn’t elaborate on what prompted the decision to cease publication or whether any of the information would be archived on the CIA’s website.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
The Senate bill codifies these eligibility standards for applicants, but elaborates further on what the state will report to the federal government on non-citizens.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
Adjective
-
It was produced by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and provides an even more detailed overview of other interviews conducted by the New York State Attorney’s Office and the FBI with victims, witnesses and people associated with Epstein.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
-
But district leaders said a recent increase in protests — particularly those that moved off campus — prompted the need for clearer, more detailed protocols.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But even such a thorough torching of Mandelson’s political career might not be enough to save Starmer’s.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Then, moving forward, give this spot a thorough check and clean twice a year minimum.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In one space, costumes can be custom printed and cut using high-tech printers, while another space houses a room full of sewing machines where costumers spend 80 hours crafting an intricate fur-pattern cape with fringes and sequins.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In addition to featuring intricate lacework, some pieces stand out for being crafted from chiffon and fluid satins, being punctuated by tiny floral embroideries and cascading daisy embellishments or simply for their buttery hues that add to the classic black and white propositions.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At least 42 anti-ICE protesters were arrested Saturday after chaos unfolded outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, following a memorial for Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents last month.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Webbing from grand facades were narrow streets where cats sunned in doorways and artisans claimed corners for their craft, unfolding a space of inclusive second chances.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But looming is the question of whether the federal immigration officers who pulled the triggers in both cases actually broke the law, a question that will come down to complicated issues that are much harder to define than the outrage that prompted calls for accountability.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Under the current appropriations, a full statewide implementation was not feasible.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That plate represents a full day of eating, not every meal, Mokari said.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These are common but complicate long-term planning for federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 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
-
Beyond thermal resilience, the technology is expected to advance as materials and cell designs continue to evolve.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The mood around EVs can be attributed to many factors, such as the loss of federal tax credits in 2025; the end of emissions waivers and revenues from carbon credits; and diminished aftermarket values as consumers fear battery degradation and anticipate quickly evolving technologies.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
