as in to improve
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refine
Spiro refined her songwriting while growing up in London, penning her first songs at the age of 10.
—
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
The backstory Opened in 2015, The Cape is Hyatt’s Thompson Hotels brand at its most refined.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Oil prices — and those for gasoline, which is refined from crude oil — have soared as a result.
—Greg Iacurci,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Something wonderful could drop into your lap in mid-June, helping to refine your path.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
The backstory Opened in 2015, The Cape is Hyatt’s Thompson Hotels brand at its most refined.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026
Oil prices — and those for gasoline, which is refined from crude oil — have soared as a result.
—Greg Iacurci,jessica Dickler, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
Something wonderful could drop into your lap in mid-June, helping to refine your path.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refine
Verb
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There are certainly areas for all parties to improve, Hernandez said.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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Still, in regions where the most robust legal protections and protective programs have been put into place, female farmworkers say things have started to improve.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are eight valid reasons to rename a street, including honoring a person and enhancing a neighborhood through the association of a street name with its location, area characteristics, and history.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
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But that 34-day war only further enhanced Hezbollah’s position in Lebanon as a powerful armed militia, operating outside of government reach while at the same time — particularly since 2008 – actually being part of the government and having effective control over it.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refine. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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