elaborate (on)

1
as in to exaggerate
to add to the interest of by including made-up details my friend tends to elaborate on his hiking experiences, turning an ordinary walk in the woods into a hair-raising adventure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to develop
to express more fully and in greater detail the candidate for governor refused to elaborate on how she would balance the state's budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for elaborate (on)
Verb
  • The implication is that the non-college population makes nothing, an assumption that dramatically exaggerates the college payoff.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Rhodes further retorted with a crude remark about Cena's microphone skills versus his physical attributes, and cautioned him against exaggerating his positive impact on WWE upon his departure.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Donovan said the Chiefs are now looking at potentially developing around Arrowhead Stadium — a prominent departure from April 2024, when the team deemed the area not worthy of further investment.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Typically, an infected person will develop symptoms between 12 to 48 hours after being infected.
    Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Colleges are seeking applicants who demonstrate curiosity, vulnerability, and self-awareness—qualities that can't be manufactured or padded on a resume.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Helping to pad the time, Booker has been reading articles, poems, court documents, personal testimonies, and think-tank pieces.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In this slice-of-life portrait, Chen shows how childhood experiences can shape someone, illustrating how a childhood passion might expand their horizons without necessarily becoming a lifelong vocation.
    Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Several hours later, the judge expanded his order to prevent the Trump administration from deporting any migrants believed to be members of Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Each new micro-transit operation serves to supplement existing public transportation operations.
    George Pohorilak, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Studies have shown that supplementing vitamin C in people with COPD can improve lung function by decreasing oxidative damage.2 Larger and more diverse study populations are necessary to clarify the results.
    Staff Author, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2025
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Elaborate (on).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elaborate%20%28on%29. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!