Synonyms of refine

refine

verb

ri-ˈfīn 

as in to improve

to make better

worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match

Synonyms & Similar Words

• improve
• enhance
• better
• amend
• help
• enrich
• perfect
• ameliorate
• upgrade
• remediate
• remedy
• reinforce
• revise
• strengthen
• meliorate
• rectify
• correct
• intensify
• rehabilitate
• fine-tune
• edit
• refurbish
• rework
• reform
• hone
• revamp
• fortify
• polish
• emend
• fine
• redraft
• boost
• rehab
• beef (up)
• retouch
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• worsen
• impair
• hurt
• injure
• tarnish
• reduce
• vitiate
• damage
• harm
• spoil
• flaw
• diminish
• disfigure
• lessen
• mar
• blight
• deface
• lower
• endamage
• blemish

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refine

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night and Good Luck, The Ides of March, and Suburbicon are examples of films that are refined, ambitious, and outside the rules and conventions of Hollywood cinema. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Perhaps cities like New York will refine a functional version of consumer socialism, in which subsidies are balanced with enormous supply-side expansions in the number of homes and child-care centers, leaving everyone better off. — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

With nearly twice the range of the previous Rav4 PHEV, the new model is good value and remains relatively refined, said Top Gear Magazine. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 6 July 2026

Linen trousers should strike a balance between laid-back and refined, and these pants have a relaxed fit and a high-rise waist that deliver just that. — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026