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Dictionary.com
Definitions

flesh out

VERB
add
Synonyms
STRONGEST
boost continue include reply
STRONG
affix annex ante append augment hike pad parlay piggyback snowball spike supplement sweeten tag
WEAK
beef up build up charge up cue in figure in heat up hike up hitch on hook on hook up with jack up jazz up join together plug into pour it on run up say further slap on soup up speed up step up tack on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
halt
STRONG
decrease detach subtract
WEAK
deduct diminish lessen reduce remove withdraw
VERB
amplify
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augment deepen exaggerate heighten intensify magnify strengthen
STRONG
add boost develop elaborate enlarge expand expatiate extend inflate lengthen pad pyramid raise stretch supplement swell up widen
WEAK
beef up build up hike up jack up soup up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease play down weaken
STRONG
abbreviate abridge compress concentrate condense contract curtail cut diminish halt lessen lower narrow reduce repress shorten shrink simplify stop subtract
WEAK
summarize
VERB
constitute
Synonyms
STRONGEST
create establish
STRONG
aggregate complement complete compose compound construct develop embody enact fix found frame incorporate integrate make
WEAK
cook up dream up fill out fudge together make up set up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy ruin
STRONG
break disarrange disperse divide end exclude fail forget halt ignore neglect prevent raze refuse separate stop veto
WEAK
deny
VERB
elaborate
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
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
VERB
enhance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
add to appreciate augment boost build up complement enlarge heighten increase intensify raise reinforce strengthen upgrade
STRONG
adorn aggrandize amplify beautify boom elevate embroider exaggerate exalt lift magnify pad pyramid swell
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease diminish discourage hurt lessen lower neglect reduce subtract take away undermine weaken
STRONG
compress condemn contract debase demote denounce depress disgrace drop mar play down
WEAK
fix minimize worsen
VERB
enrich
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augment cultivate develop endow enhance refine supplement upgrade
STRONG
adorn aggrandize ameliorate better build decorate grace ornament pad parlay pyramid spike sweeten up
WEAK
beef up build up figure in hike up hop up jack up jazz up make rich pour it on run up soup up step up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease
STRONG
disgrace worsen
WEAK
deplete impoverish reduce take
VERB
expand
Synonyms
STRONGEST
build up develop enlarge extend
STRONG
amplify dilate discourse elaborate embellish expatiate expound sweeten
WEAK
beef up drag out spell out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abridge compress condense curtail decrease lessen lower shrink
STRONG
contract reduce simplify
WEAK
abbreviate shorten
VERB
inflate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augment bloat boost enlarge escalate exaggerate expand magnify maximize overestimate pad widen
STRONG
aerate aggrandize amplify balloon cram dilate distend exalt pyramid raise spread stretch surcharge
WEAK
beef up build up puff up pump up swell up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abridge decrease diminish lessen lower play down reduce shrink weaken
STRONG
compress contract debase depress
WEAK
deflate let air out
VERB
pad
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augment embellish fudge inflate overstate
STRONG
bulk embroider enlarge exaggerate expand increase lengthen magnify overdraw protract spin stretch
WEAK
fill out
Antonyms
STRONG
abbreviate abridge compress curtail decrease diminish lessen lower play down reduce shorten shrink
WEAK
simplify uncomplicate

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 flesh out the narrative just slightly enough not to feel entirely superfluous.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026

Navratil is set to flesh out how he plans to reinvigorate the company at an investor day in February.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

The meeting will cap off a week of negotiations between U.S. officials and their Asian counterparts as they try to flesh out preliminary trade pacts struck in recent months.

From Barron's • Oct. 28, 2025

European leaders will be trying to push Trump to flesh out what US security guarantees for Ukraine could look like.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2025

As I flesh out the day’s register, as I am tonight, I feel as if I am desperately prospecting for an alibi, one mine more than Kwang’s.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee