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Synonyms

sophistication

American  
[suh-fis-ti-key-shuhn] / səˌfɪs tɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. sophisticated sophisticated character, ideas, tastes, or ways as the result of education, worldly experience, etc..

    the sophistication of the wealthy.

  2. change from the natural character or simplicity, or the resulting condition.

  3. complexity, as in design or organization.

  4. impairment or debasement, as of purity or genuineness.

  5. the use of sophistry; a sophism, quibble, or fallacious argument.

Other Word Forms

  • antisophistication noun
  • hypersophistication noun
  • oversophistication noun
  • self-sophistication noun

Etymology

Origin of sophistication

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin sophisticātiōn-, stem of sophisticātiō; equivalent to sophisticate + -ion

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They comment with equal sophistication on ballet steps, choreography, history, musicology and the minute details of costume design.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Experts say this kind of operation on a senior US government official may not take much sophistication to achieve.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

In the world of popular music, especially jazz, the 1930s stand out for their creativity and sophistication, as well as the sheer number of iconic performers and classic tunes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

"It didn't stand a chance. The incident confirms the sophistication of the means of American undersea warfare."

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

I made a quick inspection of their displays and was relieved to find that none of them approached the sophistication of the BCMA’s designs.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.