sophistication

noun
so·​phis·​ti·​ca·​tion | \ sə-ˌfi-stə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce sophistication (audio) \

Definition of sophistication

1a : the use of sophistry : sophistic reasoning
2 : the process or result of becoming cultured, knowledgeable, or disillusioned especially : cultivation, urbanity
3 : the process or result of becoming more complex, developed, or subtle

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Examples of sophistication in a Sentence

the engine's sophistication requires that all repairs be done by an experienced mechanic

Recent Examples on the Web

Reuel believes that each piece evokes a feeling of sophistication and a sense of connection and community. Ashley Rushford, Essence, "DEMESTIK Brightened Up The Runway At Essence Fashion House," 7 July 2019 Ford is, of course, always a beacon of confidence and sophistication in the fashion world, but this season especially. Vogue, "Go Inside Tom Ford’s Fall 2019 Ready-to-Wear Show," 10 Feb. 2019 Set in an amphitheater of stone, the six tents were a place of unexpected sophistication in the desert. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, "Going Off-Grid in Namibia," 21 Dec. 2018 Because the Giants have elevated the promotional day experience to a level of sophistication that may never be equalled. Gary Peterson, The Mercury News, "‘Friends’ is turning 25, and the Giants are recreating the magic," 27 June 2019 The department store offered Anchorage a welcome pocket of sophistication, said Scott Anaya, the owner of CRUSH Bottle Shops. Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, "A trip to downtown Nordstrom was a fixture of Anchorage life for 44 years. Now, it’s going away.," 27 June 2019 About half the world’s economies have private-credit bureaus, of varying degrees of sophistication. The Economist, "A brief history—and future—of credit scores," 6 July 2019 With that Gilberto co-founded the sound of post-War sophistication. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Bossa Nova Became a Turning Point in Brazilian Culture. João Gilberto Helped Launch It," 8 July 2019 And a lot of them are small jurisdictions that don't have a lot of technological investment and sophistication. CBS News, "Transcript: Chris Krebs talks with Michael Morell on "Intelligence Matters"," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sophistication.' 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 sophistication

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for sophistication

sophistication

noun
so·​phis·​ti·​ca·​tion | \ sə-ˌfis-tə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce sophistication (audio) \

Medical Definition of sophistication

: the process or result of making impure or weak : adulteration sophistication of a drug

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