as in adjusting
to make small changes to (something) in order to improve the way it works or to make it exactly right
fine-tune a TV set fine-tune the temperature of the room They're fine-tuning interest rates to achieve economic growth without inflation.
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Recent Examples of fine-tuning
Basham said when the city was fine-tuning its policy around electric bike and scooter use, there was a conscious effort to not exclude people who depend on those kinds of devices for recreational enjoyment.
—
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
The county has worked for months with UCSD and Scripps researchers to absorb the protocols created by local researchers, gradually fine-tuning models so that the data that the county’s process creates matches with what has already been collected and published by the research effort.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
The actors expected to spend hours fine-tuning their performances and rehearsing key scenes.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Beyond changing her top team and fine-tuning her products, Gorin has been keen to project broader cultural messages since taking the helm.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The appointment comes as Kenzo is fine-tuning its strategy, returning to the womenswear schedule and hiring design director Joshua Bullen.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
In her books, Hoover is better known for delivering emotional catharsis than for fine-tuning the logic and realism of her plots.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
In the process, the team reviewed multiple samples, fine-tuning the bottle, the box, and overall packaging of Roué until all parties were satisfied.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Unlike Oppo’s sister company, OnePlus, the brand has kept its partnership with Hasselblad for fine-tuning its camera experience.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
The county has worked for months with UCSD and Scripps researchers to absorb the protocols created by local researchers, gradually fine-tuning models so that the data that the county’s process creates matches with what has already been collected and published by the research effort.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
The actors expected to spend hours fine-tuning their performances and rehearsing key scenes.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
Beyond changing her top team and fine-tuning her products, Gorin has been keen to project broader cultural messages since taking the helm.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The appointment comes as Kenzo is fine-tuning its strategy, returning to the womenswear schedule and hiring design director Joshua Bullen.
—Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
In her books, Hoover is better known for delivering emotional catharsis than for fine-tuning the logic and realism of her plots.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
In the process, the team reviewed multiple samples, fine-tuning the bottle, the box, and overall packaging of Roué until all parties were satisfied.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Unlike Oppo’s sister company, OnePlus, the brand has kept its partnership with Hasselblad for fine-tuning its camera experience.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fine-tuning
Verb
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Cover pan; cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat as needed to ensure mixture stays at a gentle simmer, until fennel is very tender, 15–20 minutes.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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There are physical control buttons on the headphones for turning ANC on and off and adjusting the volume.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The website says that some states have laws that prohibit driving with snow on your car, or have laws regulating it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The result is a denim that retains the sustainability benefits and high moisture regulating properties of Tencel but with a more authentic cotton-like appearance.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That, and putting your people first, is what matters first and foremost; everything else follows after.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Washington — Federal Reserve officials convene this week at a pivotal moment in the US central bank’s 112-year history, with a series of historic events putting a spotlight on their ability to set interest rates without political interference.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Justin Sullivan | Getty Images Apple reported blowout first-quarter earnings on Thursday, and predicted growth of as much as 16% in the current quarter, matching the period that just ended.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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The silk mousseline garments floated almost like ghosts or memories of Chanel designs past, including the famous skirt suit with its matching cardigan and Karl Lagerfeld modernisms like jeans with a tweed jacket, plus the iconic flap bag.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For a coach who thinks running the ball is for squares and suckers, that’s not exactly adapting one’s philosophy to fit your personnel.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
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Joe Robert Cole is adapting the book for the screen and will also serve as executive producer and showrunner in addition to directing multiple episodes, including the first.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fine-tuning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fine-tuning. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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