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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in complexes
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 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
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 sophisticates
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
Noun
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
-
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.
-
Seedlip is ideal for non-alcoholic spritzes, palomas, cosmopolitans and similar classics.
Verb
-
By utilizing a platform that provides a One Experience for data, networking, and security, IT teams reduce the variability that traditionally complicates Day 0 and Day 2 operations.
-
For Tokyo, that complicates the effectiveness of any unilateral intervention.
Verb
-
Too many people touch the work, and every handoff dilutes the idea.
-
That further dilutes Iran’s hold over the strait—its top source of leverage.
Verb
-
But the unknown in that equation is what perplexes the Mavericks and has the team stuck for now.
Verb
-
Intelligent power switches can monitor electrical flow while controlling loads more efficiently.
-
The app decrypts the file and loads it into the appropriate editing program.
Verb
-
Graft inquiry embarrasses Zelensky Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram announcement that the investigation into Yermak is ongoing.
-
Now the technology embarrasses an umpire even more than a player could, and what’s the recourse?
Verb
-
When a company cuts its dividend, the stock tanks—that’s the bad scenario.
-
There are a few loadouts available at HP's site, but the best overall deal is on this model, which cuts a full 50% off.
Verb
-
Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.
-
If employees are expected to produce the same output in less time without better systems in place, the pressure simply intensifies.
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sophisticates. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
