sophisticate

[suh-fis-ti-kit, -keyt, suh-fis-ti-keyt]

noun

1. a sophisticated person.

adjective

1. sophisticated.

verb (used with object)

sophisticated, sophisticating 

1. to make less natural, simple, or ingenuous; make worldly-wise.

2. to alter; pervert.

   to sophisticate a meaning beyond recognition.

verb (used without object)

sophisticated, sophisticating 

1. to use sophistry; quibble.

sophisticate

verb

1. (tr) to make (someone) less natural or innocent, as by education

2. to pervert or corrupt (an argument, etc) by sophistry

3. (tr) to make more complex or refined

4. rare,  to falsify (a text, etc) by alterations

noun

1. a sophisticated person

Other Word Forms

• outsophisticate verb (used with object)
• sophisticator noun
• sophistication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sophisticate¹

1350–1400; Middle English (adj. and v.) < Medieval Latin sophisticātus (past participle of sophisticāre to tamper with, disguise, trick with words), equivalent to Latin sophistic ( us ) ( sophistic ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sophisticate¹

C14: from Medieval Latin sophisticāre, from Latin sophisticus sophistic

Example Sentences

An AI program, however sophisticated, cannot do that.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re here ready to fight aggressively and in a sophisticated way for anyone who faces any federal prosecution at any time,” Ortega said.

From Los Angeles Times

While other stars might dislike being photographed off the set, Dean, preternaturally sophisticated about creating an image, reveled in it.

From Los Angeles Times

McGill's relative anonymity contrasted with Richardson, who was jailed in 2018 for his role in what detectives described as Scotland's most sophisticated crime gang.

From BBC

The process is more sophisticated too, using crypto currency instead of bags full of cash.

From BBC

Related Words

• corrupt 
• degrade 
• pollute