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 Rest first, then refine the system that keeps overloading you. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026 The new style of play, which had been rapidly developed and refined during the World Cup, was no longer seen as an improvisation, but rather as yet another stroke of genius from De la Fuente and his players. — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026 The chapters started flying back and forth, each of us editing and refining the other’s work. — Scott Westerfeld, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026 Let people meet the new version of you, then refine from there. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for refine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refine
  1. improve
  2. enhance
Verb
  • With the aim of producing an addition 200,000 degrees beyond the 1 million already projected for 2030, the university set goals to improve its graduation rates.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
  • Given the tools on show in the macOS beta closely match those on iOS, coupled with Apple’s push to unify as many of its operating system features, there will be some cross-platform data to improve this part of Siri AI.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of improve
Verb
  • For Greece, the investment is part of a broader effort to modernize its armed forces and enhance deterrence capabilities in a region marked by persistent security concerns.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
  • While visual effects can enhance martial arts on screen, Wu argues that authentic filmmaking still depends on performance.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 25 July 2026
Definition of enhance

Browse Nearby Words

refinancing
refine
refined
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refine. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on refine

Nglish: Translation of refine for Spanish Speakers

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