elaborate

[ih-lab-er-it, ih-lab-uh-reyt] / ɪˈlæb ər ɪt, ɪˈlæb əˌreɪt /

ADJECTIVE

intricate; involved

Synonyms

STRONG

busy complicated decorated detailed embellished exact fancy garnished imposing labored ornamented overdone overworked perfected refined sophisticated studied

WEAK

careful complex elegant extensive extravagant fussy high-tech highly wrought knotty labyrinthine luxurious many-faceted minute ornate ostentatious painstaking plush posh precise prodigious showy skillful thorough with all the extras with all the options with bells and whistles

Antonyms

STRONG

easy facile natural simple uncultured unrefined unsophisticated

WEAK

general normal plain regular uncomplicated unelaborate uninvolved usual

VERB

make detailed; expand

Synonyms

STRONG

amplify bedeck clarify comment complicate deck decorate develop devise discuss embellish enhance enlarge evolve expatiate explain expound garnish improve interpret ornament particularize polish produce refine specify unfold

WEAK

flesh out work out

Antonyms

STRONG

abridge block compress condense confuse curtail damage decrease deface diminish dirty halt harm hurt lessen lower reduce ruin spoil stop worsen

WEAK

make simple simplify

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.

Nanos declined to elaborate on the suspected motive, as he said it could compromise the integrity of the ongoing investigation to do so.

From BBC

It says the number of its ships held in the area is in the single digits, without elaborating further.

From MarketWatch

Diaz-Canel said the talks were being facilitated by "international factors" without elaborating.

From Barron's

Other audience members, particularly those seated on the stage, played much more elaborate roles.

From Los Angeles Times

Bouchard, the sheriff, called the crime a "hateful, terrible thing", but did not elaborate on a specific motive.

From BBC