1
as in finishing
to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done
perfected the arrangements for their long-awaited European vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in improving
to make better
an art teacher who seems to believe that you can always perfect a painting with some additional brush strokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perfecting
This course stands out for its spectacular panoramic ocean views, a driving range that is over 295 yards long, greens for perfecting your putting, and a chipping area.
—
José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Nearby, Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage has hosted a parade of presidents — from Eisenhower perfecting his golf swing to Obama meeting with world leaders.
—James Ward, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
If anything goes, nothing needs perfecting.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Bradley is largely concerned with perfecting his golf game; Linda spends her off hours obsessing over the TV show Survivor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Prototype ideas faster than competitors While others spend weeks perfecting one piece, test twenty ideas in an afternoon.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There’s plenty of humor — like basketball player Zeke (Chris Warren) and his obsession with perfecting a chocolate chip cookie recipe or Sharpay and Ryan’s matching outfits and vocal warmups.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
The leaders who demand 100% certainty will remain stuck in the past, perfecting the efficiency of a dying model.
—Yasmeen Ahmad, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
The first was a 19-yard-completion to Charlie Becker on a back-shoulder fade those guys have been perfecting all season.
—Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Nearby, Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage has hosted a parade of presidents — from Eisenhower perfecting his golf swing to Obama meeting with world leaders.
—James Ward, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
If anything goes, nothing needs perfecting.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Bradley is largely concerned with perfecting his golf game; Linda spends her off hours obsessing over the TV show Survivor.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Prototype ideas faster than competitors While others spend weeks perfecting one piece, test twenty ideas in an afternoon.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
There’s plenty of humor — like basketball player Zeke (Chris Warren) and his obsession with perfecting a chocolate chip cookie recipe or Sharpay and Ryan’s matching outfits and vocal warmups.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2026
The leaders who demand 100% certainty will remain stuck in the past, perfecting the efficiency of a dying model.
—Yasmeen Ahmad, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2026
The first was a 19-yard-completion to Charlie Becker on a back-shoulder fade those guys have been perfecting all season.
—Eddie Pells, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perfecting
Verb
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The Italians claimed the gold medal by finishing 4 1/2 seconds faster than the American world record-holders, and that margin was so large that Giovannini pulled his two white-gloved hands together and pressed them to the side of his head at the close, just the way NBA star Curry does.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Just three courses short of finishing his studies at the seminary, Jackson dropped out to pursue a full-time career in civil rights.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But rather than making this change at the flick of a switch, many fertility doctors are now recommending hopeful patients spend a few months improving their health to give themselves the best chances of conceiving.—
Rachel Hosie,
SELF,
16 Feb. 2026
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Rosemary is a flavorful herb that enhances gardens by repelling pests and improving the taste of nearby plants.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Searchers have discovered the wreck of a luxury steamer that sank in a Lake Michigan gale in the late 19th century, completing a quest that began almost 60 years ago.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Hetzel would spend much of his life after completing his secondary education in the Pacific Northwest, practicing his photography.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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These systems optimize contrast, brightness, and color with machine learning algorithms that adjust to scene content and ambient light, significantly enhancing viewing quality without manual calibration.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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With plans for major renovations to Robb Field and Dusty Rhodes Park already approved by the city, the emphasis this time was on enhancing smaller parks that primarily serve local residents.—
Steven Mihailovich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perfecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perfecting. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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