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 dress gave boho styling a softer, minimalist feel, eschewing any design busyness for a more refined, pared back look. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026 The Invisible Work That Defines the Guest Experience The most refined hospitality experiences often depend on things guests never see. — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
Rooms There are just 13 rooms, each quietly refined with a riverside color palette and floor-to-ceiling windows. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 These and other revisions, refined over a multiyear process, brought on board two of the world’s biggest tiremakers, Bridgestone and Michelin. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 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
  • Over time, no existing civilization has remained ethnically or culturally pure or set in the same borders.
    — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
  • There’s nothing slavishly authentic here, but the recipes’ bones are pure Mexico.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • For instance, in the Hartford student apartments, generous-sized, bathroom vanities with double sinks are topped with cultured marble.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • As joint capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1873 to 1918, Budapest was one of the liveliest, most cultured, and prosperous cities in Europe; that golden era saw the construction of grand boulevards and numerous splendid buildings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of cultured
Adjective
  • Top 5 Can’t Miss A former family mansion, the elegant Villa Igiea is one of Palermo’s most opulent stays, with a history of hosting celebrities and royals during its early years.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Best Splurge At 7-feet tall, this bar cabinet is both elegant and dignified, pairing a walnut finish and forest green leather with brass hardware.
    — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Clinicians found real value in cases involving subtle fractures in the knees, feet and other extremities, where conventional X-ray findings were inconclusive or missed the fracture altogether.
    — Erez Meltzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Then there are the subtle vanilla notes like those found in Orb Oils’s Lenny fragrance, matcha in Le Labo’s, or, say, Flamingo Estate’s Prinsesstårta roll-on captures notes of marzipan like a slice of Sant Ambroeus Princess cake.
    — Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • The narrative is punctuated by prose-poems about the water conditions during her swims, which varied enormously from day to day and month to month, sometimes exquisite, sometimes terrifying.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike the first one, though, this features an exquisite metal body and a more elegant design reminiscent of some top-end BlackBerry phones of yore.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • However, El Niños of the past are not necessarily an accurate guide to El Niños of the future, experts say.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The defense firm says the missile uses an advanced navigation system and is exceptionally accurate.
    — Sylvia Hui, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate
Verb
  • Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic winners Brookwood, Roswell and North Gwinnett all greatly improved their positions with wins last week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Bera also urged the administration to ensure that the protections remain in place until conditions in Haiti have measurably improved.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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