sophisticated
adjective
so·phis·ti·cat·ed
sÉ™-ˈfi-stÉ™-ËŒkÄ-tÉ™d 
1
2
: devoid of grossness: such as
a
: finely experienced and aware
a sophisticated columnist
b
: intellectually appealing
a sophisticated novel
sophisticatedly
adverb
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.
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Navy effectively stopped building ships at the close of the cold war and the sophisticated industrial base supporting ship construction – both the skilled workforce and the supply chain – withered for more than a generation.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Top patio furniture that costs $1,500 or more With six stylish counter-height chairs and a high table, this patio furniture offers a more sophisticated take on the usual dining sets.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The incident, though, is hardly isolated and experts say school policies, awareness and the law are all struggling to keep up as AI technology evolves and becomes more sophisticated and accessible.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
The ship comes equipped with various aerial and surface radar systems as well as sophisticated electronic warfare suites.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sophisticated
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Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Top patio furniture that costs $1,500 or more With six stylish counter-height chairs and a high table, this patio furniture offers a more sophisticated take on the usual dining sets.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The incident, though, is hardly isolated and experts say school policies, awareness and the law are all struggling to keep up as AI technology evolves and becomes more sophisticated and accessible.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
The ship comes equipped with various aerial and surface radar systems as well as sophisticated electronic warfare suites.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sophisticated
Cite this Entry
“Sophisticated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sophisticated. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sophisticated
adjective
so·phis·ti·cat·ed
sÉ™-ˈfis-tÉ™-ËŒkÄt-É™d
1
: deprived of native or original simplicity: such as
a
: very complicated : complex
sophisticated instruments
b
: worldly-wise, knowing
a sophisticated young graduate
2
a
: finely experienced and aware
a sophisticated observer
b
: appealing to one's intelligence
a sophisticated novel
sophisticatedly
adverb
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