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
Before Sunday’s final, many had felt that Argentina would need to disrupt a refined Spanish team which has grown in confidence and authority as this World Cup progressed. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026 The loss of those imports exposed the continent’s reliance on overseas crude, and especially refined products. — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 20 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
  • Chef Cristian Medrano’s menu exudes confidence in the form of evolved flavors with every dish.
    — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • This evolved mission mandates more than technology alone.
    — Kevin Cohee, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of evolved
Adjective
  • By the logic of pure procurement, AI bills should be shrinking.
    — Roman Shemet, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The pure thermal spring water contains postbiotic microflora, which can calm the skin and reduce redness.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 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
  • Her sleek, elegant mini slip dress, the epitome of a timeless LBD.
    — Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • This assortment features presentation boxes, gift sets with elegant teaware, a chest of single steeps and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • But Scheft and his team are mastering the subtle differences and plan to offer many of the same loaves available in Boston, though the bakeries will have a few different offerings.
    — Connie Ogle July 17, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026
  • In one of Nolan’s subtle but important additions to Homer’s tale, all throughout the film, everyone expresses fears about the People from the Sea, this unseen menace terrorizing different towns.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • This novel-in-verse is an exquisite rendering of Hekate’s tale from childhood to growing into her power as a witch and a goddess with the power to visit the underworld.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
  • The real design consideration is in the exquisite gamer aesthetic.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • The combination of low-friction actuation, dual joint encoders and minimal backlash enables highly accurate motion control while providing continuous force feedback during manipulation.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026
  • Steering is accurate without being particularly communicative, but that's perfectly appropriate for this car.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of refined for Spanish Speakers

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