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 team plans to continue refining the design and making the system smaller and more efficient.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
The White House is telling Republicans to refine their immigration messaging as the party stares down the midterm elections, a tacit acknowledgement that its hardline rhetoric about mass deportation risks alienating voters.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The war has caused global oil prices to spike — leading prices for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products refined from crude oil to surge, too.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Most crude oil is refined for fuel production, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, so these fuel supply chains would likely be the first to take a hit.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
The White House is telling Republicans to refine their immigration messaging as the party stares down the midterm elections, a tacit acknowledgement that its hardline rhetoric about mass deportation risks alienating voters.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The war has caused global oil prices to spike — leading prices for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products refined from crude oil to surge, too.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Most crude oil is refined for fuel production, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, so these fuel supply chains would likely be the first to take a hit.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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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