refined 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈfīnd How to pronounce refined (audio)
Definition of refinednext
1
as in evolved
being far along in development a refined analysis of the factors that produce economic wealth in the new global economy

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2
as in pure
free from added matter refined gold

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3
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living a refined couple who have hosted many elegant benefits for organizations promoting the arts

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4
as in elegant
having or showing elegance a refined woman with gracious manners

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5
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the dressmaker took a set of quite refined measurements before actually starting work

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6
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness the chef's refined cuisine is one that true gourmets will appreciate

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7
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy this is not a refined calculation of the total number of calories in the dish—just a rough estimate

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refined

2 of 2

verb

past tense of refine
as in improved
to make better worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match

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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 refined
Adjective
The Mammotion Luba series, in my experience, has been one of the most refined and polished setups to date. — Joe Salas july 12, New Atlas, 12 July 2026 The boat neckline gives it a refined finish that looks far more expensive than its $20 price tag and pairs effortlessly with skirts, trousers, denim, or shorts. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026
Verb
Oil needs to be refined into products and fuels people can use, including asphalt, plastic, heating oil, jet fuel, diesel and gasoline. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 July 2026 The product of millions of years of evolution rather than countless lines of code, refined by the brutal simplicity of survival. — Dana Suskind, Time, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for refined
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refined
  1. evolved
  2. pure
  3. cultured
  4. elegant
  5. subtle
  6. exquisite
  7. accurate
  8. improved
Adjective
  • This evolved mission mandates more than technology alone.
    — Kevin Cohee, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
  • The leader and protector of his kingdom, his character embodies this Fire sign in its most evolved form.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Definition of evolved
Adjective
  • The achievement shows how OpenAI and other AI firms are heavily investing in pure mathematics as a way to benchmark the technology’s ascent towards reasoning—and the strange directions those efforts often take.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 July 2026
  • There were new artists emerging who were sort of pure electronic artists like Kraftwerk and Gary Numan and so on.
    — Peter Larsen, Daily News, 14 July 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • The collapse of the Gulf pearling industry — which began in the late 1920s on the arrival of cheaper Japanese cultured pearls — brought widespread poverty to the region, until the discovery of oil shortly after.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
  • Olmo’s deftness of touch to set up Porro for Spain’s second goal epitomised Spain’s cultured performance on the ball, but the fact that Spain’s performance was not always aesthetically pleasing will arguably please De la Fuente more.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Definition of cultured
Adjective
  • After all, why should an elegant Japanese sushi spot have a cheeseburger on the menu?
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Since becoming a part of the royal family, the Princess of Wales has attended several public events and is known for her elegant fashion sense.
    — Zoe Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Messi’s longevity is a story of enduring brilliance but also subtle evolution.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • Buyers will be able to tailor the interior with exclusive leather, Alcantara, and a choice of Comfort or Racing seats, both featuring six vertical grooves as a subtle nod to the six-speed layout.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • France came into the game having scored fourteen goals across the tournament, several of them exquisite demonstrations of the team’s style and vitality.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
  • From the central open-air firepit of the Great Porch, to the playful tile spewed throughout various common spaces and the 65 cabins and cottages, the design of Wildflower is exquisite.
    — Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • In the years since, Becenti said, the data has painted a more accurate and encouraging picture.
    — Savannah Peters, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • The age range was chosen because accurate readings on these topics are harder with older kids.
    — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of accurate
Verb
  • The more important questions are whether customer outcomes improved, whether employees became more effective, whether the business became more adaptable and whether new value was created because of the technology.
    — Tony Bates, Fortune, 16 July 2026
  • The steaks improved with each visit, but purists may want to stick to the Japanese Wagyu.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of improved

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Cite this Entry

“Refined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refined. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of refined for Spanish Speakers

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