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sophisticated

adjective
so·​phis·​ti·​cat·​ed | \ sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce sophisticated (audio) \

Definition of sophisticated

1 : deprived of native or original simplicity: such as
a : highly complicated or developed : complex sophisticated electronic devices
b : having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience a sophisticated lady
2 : devoid of grossness: such as
a : finely experienced and aware a sophisticated columnist
b : intellectually appealing a sophisticated novel
Other Words from sophisticated Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about sophisticated

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Other Words from sophisticated

sophisticatedly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for sophisticated

sophisticated, worldly-wise, blasé mean experienced in the ways of the world. sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation. guests at her salon were usually rich and sophisticated worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism. a worldly-wise woman with a philosophy of personal independence blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation. blasé travelers who claimed to have been everywhere

Did You Know?

A sophisticated argument is thorough and well-worked-out. A satellite is a sophisticated piece of technology, complex and designed to accomplish difficult tasks. A sophisticated person, such as Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, knows how to get around in the world. But sophistication isn't always admired. As you might guess, the word is closely related to sophistry (see above), and its original meanings weren't very positive, and still today many of us aren't sure we really like sophisticates.

Examples of sophisticated in a Sentence

Puck's mix of casual and sophisticated elements has become the most prevalent style of L.A. dining today. — Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2009 Sophisticated investors took Moody's and S&P's word for it, and it turned out that the agencies didn't know what they were doing. — Andy Serwer et al., Time, 29 Sept. 2008 "These students want the amenities they grew up with at home—their own rooms, their own baths, along with some of the finer things in life. They're a more sophisticated consumer." — Camille Sweeney, New York Times Real Estate Magazine, Spring 2007 Sonar devices can locate an enemy's sophisticated, almost-silent diesel submarines by, ironically, making a deafening noise—sometimes above 230 decibels, as loud as a Saturn V rocket blasting off. — Dick Russell, Mother Jones, March & April 2006 She was a sophisticated and well-traveled woman. a swank and sophisticated restaurant Her knitting technique is more sophisticated than mine.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The company deployed a sophisticated software tool, Greyball, that effectively rooted out and identified public officials and prevented them from hailing rides as the company sought to evade regulators. — oregonlive, "Mike Isaac of The New York Times on Uber, Greyball, Portland and his new book: Q&A," 6 Sep. 2019 The router and satellite node (the RBS850) also have four 1Gbps LAN ports to support hardwired clients and more sophisticated home networks. — Ben Patterson, PCWorld, "Netgear sets a $700 price tag (ouch) for its upcoming Orbi Wi-Fi 6 mesh network system," 6 Sep. 2019 And designers found ways to weave thin polyester fibers into the squishy part of the pad to wick fluid away into the absorbent cores, which were getting thinner as superabsorbent materials grew more sophisticated. — Alejandra Borunda, National Geographic, "How tampons and pads became so unsustainable," 6 Sep. 2019 Instead of merely hearing a recording, Vlahos is building a more sophisticated and user-friendly virtual model that is being designed to encourage interaction. — Peter Holley, Anchorage Daily News, "Virtual afterlife: ‘Hey, Google! Let me talk to my departed father’," 30 Aug. 2019 In February Tamsin Edwards, of King’s College, London, and colleagues published more sophisticated computer simulations that replicate the ancient sea levels without large-scale ice-cliff collapse, and thus suggest a slower rate of GMSL rise. — The Economist, "Climate change is a remorseless threat to the world’s coasts," 17 Aug. 2019 Werts’ lawyer Townes Jones IV told The Savannah Morning News more sophisticated lab testing showed the substance was not cocaine, and the drug charge was dropped. — USA TODAY, "Charlottesville remembered, drive-thru ban, ketchup karma: News from around our 50 states," 13 Aug. 2019 Older students gravitate to more sophisticated styles, typically solid colors or simple fruit and floral prints, which Sirica says are popular this season. — Tyra Mcclung, courant.com, "Back to school in style: Here’s what’s trending this fall," 7 Aug. 2019 The coordinating walls and curtains created a sophisticated but streamlined backdrop against which the antiques could pop. — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "Christie's Makes Antiques Cool with Help from Markarian and CeCe Barfield," 12 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sophisticated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sophisticated

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sophisticated

Medieval Latin sophisticatus

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More Definitions for sophisticated

sophisticated

adjective
How to pronounce sophisticated (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sophisticated

: having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, etc.
: attractive to fashionable or sophisticated people
: highly developed and complex

See the full definition for sophisticated in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sophisticated

adjective
so·​phis·​ti·​cat·​ed | \ sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkā-təd How to pronounce sophisticated (audio) \

Kids Definition of sophisticated

1 : very complicated sophisticated electronic devices
2 : having a lot of knowledge about the world especially through experience

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