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
Meanwhile, colder temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere will also create higher demand for refined distillate fuels — the energy category that includes diesel. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 Research suggests that replacing refined carbohydrates with whole grains may help reduce inflammation. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
The process starts with the mining of bauxite ore, which is refined into alumina and then smelted into aluminum. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 It was tested and refined to ensure the weave and construction did not impact the speaker’s acoustic performance. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 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
  • Dylan gives a subtle warning for Alex to stay away from Kylie, but Alex was still close to confessing his evolved feelings for her.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Chef Cristian Medrano’s menu exudes confidence in the form of evolved flavors with every dish.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of evolved
Adjective
  • Swift was born into the Anglo-Irish Protestant elite, and the text satires both the callousness of his class and a then-ascendant approach to morality and politics that held that all aspects of life could be cooked down to a pure numerical value.
    — Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, Bier recognizes the pure joy of seeing these women drinking margaritas again, resulting in a vivid and sweet celebration that gradually reframes aging as a process of gaining power rather than losing it.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • To determine whether there's a bacterial infection, that urine must be cultured.
    — Meghan Rabbitt, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Crème fraîche is a slightly tangy cultured cream with around 30% fat.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cultured
Adjective
  • Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton Downsides Instead of constantly kicking that pile of shoes to the side by your entryway, give them an elegant home with this tilt-out storage cabinet.
    — Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The New York Times recently showcased 41 of the greatest Mexican restaurants across the country, from taco trucks to elegant eateries with tasting menus.
    — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • That possibility, however subtle, may have helped drive the legal chaos that unfolded in Baton Rouge just 48 hours before LSU was scheduled to take the field.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Birdseye maple recurs as a detail on furniture and banisters, along with subtle copper details and velvet seating.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • An outpost of the Milanese hotspot, the Italian eatery offers fine dining in exquisite surroundings.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In Barbara Forever, an exquisite new documentary by Brydie O’Connor, there’s even old, grainy footage of Hammer essentially saying as much before a screening of her films.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • Suffice it to say, a QB's rookie year is not always an accurate portrayal of the player that QB will become.
    — Austin Mock, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • However, according to veterinarians, this calculation isn't always accurate.
    — Maddie Rhodes, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of accurate
Verb
  • Agricultural production technologies and weather forecasting capabilities have also improved substantially, all of which could help the market absorb part of the supply shocks.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • With another interested party, the financial dimensions of the deal began to shift and Sunderland improved their offer to the player and his agents.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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