refine

verb

ri-ˈfīn How to pronounce refine (audio)
Definition of refinenext
as in to improve
to make better worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refine With more than 3,500 innings of experience as a major-league outfielder, Harris was on the front end of helping Crow-Armstrong refine his defense. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 Yet the real story now is refining constraints that are keeping fuel prices high. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026 Both come from crude oil but they're refined into different products, with different combustion mechanisms and densities. — Willa Rubin, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026 The company is still refining parts of the prototype, including its storage setup. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refine
  1. improve
  2. enhance
Verb
  • The developers say automating pollination could reduce the need for manual labor, lower breeding costs, and improve the efficiency of hybrid breeding.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Back in 2004, the Chargers improved from 31st in points allowed to 11th after the arrival of new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
    — Zak Keefer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • Brady Corbet’s 2024 film The Brutalist was demonized for using AI to enhance the accents of Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, and for using the tech to create architectural drawings and buildings in the style of Brody’s character, László Tóth.
    — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having your franchise player, a future Hall of Famer, ask out in such a public way is only going to enhance that view.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of enhance

Browse Nearby Words

refinancing
refine
refined
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Cite this Entry

“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refine. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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