refined; refining
1
: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2
: to free from moral imperfection : elevate
3
: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
refine a poetic style
4
: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5
: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
1
: to become pure or perfected
2
: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
refiner
noun
Examples of refine in a Sentence
The inventor of the machine spent years refining the design.
The class is meant to help you refine your writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web
The five elements still exempt from China’s controls are largely light rare earths, which are more abundant, easier to mine and refine, and less strategically constrained than their heavier counterparts.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, and phishing emails that once looked laughably fake can now be nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
China produces and refines the vast majority of the world’s supply of rare earths, key in several industries, including defense and semiconductor manufacturing.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
In both situations, the instruments have been extensively refined to deliver a satisfying auditory experience.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, and phishing emails that once looked laughably fake can now be nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
China produces and refines the vast majority of the world’s supply of rare earths, key in several industries, including defense and semiconductor manufacturing.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
In both situations, the instruments have been extensively refined to deliver a satisfying auditory experience.
—Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refine
verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn 
refined; refining
1
: to come or bring to a pure state
refine sugar
2
: to make or become improved
3
: to free from what is vulgar
4
: to improve by introducing something that makes a small difference
refined upon the older methods
refiner
noun
Medical Definition
refine
transitive verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn
refined; refining
: to free (as sugar or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
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