elaborate 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈla-b(ə-)rət How to pronounce elaborate (audio)
Definition of elaboratenext
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

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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

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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

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elaborate

2 of 2

verb

i-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt How to pronounce elaborate (audio)
as in to unfold
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as mankind's understanding of the universe has elaborated

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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
Adjective
The right school is not necessarily the one with the newest building, most elaborate décor, largest playground, or most technology. — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 One of the more elaborate assassination-for-hire schemes unfolded in 2024, when the regime allegedly tried to target an Iranian dissident who was living in Haarlem, in the Netherlands. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
The police chief did not elaborate on the circumstances that may have led to the killing, citing an ongoing investigation. — Rachel Gow, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 The governor did not elaborate, and a spokesperson for Bonta’s office declined to comment. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elaborate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate
  1. detailed
  2. thorough
  3. intricate
  4. unfold
  5. complicated
  6. full
  7. complicate
  8. evolve
Adjective
  • There are no surprises, only faithful responses to the driver’s inputs and an abundance of detailed feedback.
    — Bradley Iger, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • To get a better understanding of who this individual was, researchers have spent the past few years conducting a detailed analysis of the remains’ DNA and isotopes, and the chemical properties of the metallic artefacts and the decorative band.
    — Mike McRae August 25, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • The author specifically praised Reficco over her thorough research on epilepsy in an effort to offer an authentic portrayal.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Lawsuits have accused Lyft of failing to perform more thorough background checks on prospective drivers, maintaining in-car surveillance and enforcing zero-tolerance policies against drivers.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • The intricate leather cutouts appear across the strap across the toes and on the straps that wrap around the back of the foot.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • As with software, the features that optimize for agents differ significantly from the intricate features of modern internet sites built for human use.
    — George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of intricate
Verb
  • The suspect, identified by the NYPD as 31-year-old Jesus Acosta, is being hunted in connection with two deadly shootings that unfolded days apart across New York City, police told Fox News Digital.
    — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • As her creative uncertainty grows, a strange mystery unfolds when a series of provocative and obscene artworks inexplicably disappear.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfold
Adjective
  • Linney’s Guardian tries to draw out some resentment from her new candidate, but John expresses (or feigns) sympathy for Hal, who was betrayed by his father figure Sinestro, an experience John likens to his own complicated upbringing.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • She was steeped in the minutiae of a profoundly complicated culture.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of complicated
Adjective
  • In the current setup, teams select players that other teams leave unprotected and then must carry that player on their big-league roster for a full year.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • That income limit is a cliff — earning a dollar over the limit generally means paying the full, unsubsidized premium.
    — Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of full
Adjective
  • The company very deliberately targets large enterprise customers, which have the biggest and most complicate supply chain ecosystems.
    — David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Wilcox noted that overlaps between substance use and suicide complicate reduction efforts.
    — Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Definition of complicate
Verb
  • Palal acknowledged that Davis’ accounts of the killing evolved over the years but argued those differences reflected Davis’ changing motivations and efforts to protect himself.
    — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The soft gray-white rattan complements the tailored beige high-density comfort cushions and creates an airy backdrop for your ever-evolving collection of seasonal all-weather pillows and throws.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of evolve

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Cite this Entry

“Elaborate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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