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
In the 18th century, elaborate complimenting routines became popular, and by the late 19th and early 20th century, English-speaking society had a greater focus on treating all people as equals. — Valerie Fridland, Time, 26 Oct. 2026 The holiday-season favorite returns with its elaborate combination of rock music, theatrical storytelling and stage effects. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
Hinojosa elaborated on her position on state takeovers while answering another question at Thursday’s event. — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026 Pittol and former business partner Max Shuffler started hosting dinners out of her Echo Park garage, earning a following for her fruit pies and elaborate live-fire feasts. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 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
  • Adding to the bronze structure is a detailed blossom decoration featuring 925 sterling silver and 24K gold accents.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
  • After a detailed briefing with an ATI staff member, I was kitted out with a folder packed with maps, a Namibian cell phone pre-programmed with key contacts, and a first-aid kit.
    — Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of detailed
Adjective
  • But their 20-3 loss to the Seahawks (4-3) was so thorough, unsightly and disillusioning as to render the 5-0 run-up to it entirely suspect — especially considering the Chiefs’ thorny schedule ahead.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Under the existing two-step process, competing teams must include thorough engineering and financial details as part of their proposals before NASA selects finalists for further study.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • The process was particularly intricate, as each interlacing detail on the bodice had to be carefully constructed by weaving hundreds of meters of rouleau and while maintaining the tension and precision of the corsetry underneath.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Dedicated to the god Amun, it is known for its beautiful pillars and intricate carvings.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intricate
Verb
  • Designing a garment, sourcing the fabric, approving samples, placing an order and moving it to market can unfold over six to nine months.
    — Jessica Binns, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Events unfold over one evening as a hurricane rolls in, blocking communication from the outside world and preventing reinforcements from arriving.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfold
Adjective
  • Sports cars are getting bigger, heavier, and more complicated.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The mental load of harder cases As AI takes on routine tasks, human agents may be left dealing with a greater share of complicated cases — and be required to pick up the slack when the technology fails.
    — Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of complicated
Adjective
  • The full report says 12% of the scams reported in the survey involved AI or a deepfake.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Some Ukrainian officials told the newspaper that the system had not been restored to full functionality but was working at higher speeds than under the cap.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 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
  • The plague bacterium appears to have emerged as a human pathogen more than 5,700 years ago, evolving from a soil bacterium called Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, says Hendrick Poinar, a biologist at McMaster University, who works with ancient DNA.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
  • These trends have evolved into a more evergreen aesthetic in 2026.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 26 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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