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
Such a change — which Kessler said FDA has the authority to do — would put the onus on food makers to prove refined carbs and sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup are OK for human consumption. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 10 Aug. 2026 Growing just 3 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, Mountain Snow™ is a compact variety of pieris with improved heat tolerance and a refined habit. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026
Verb
Quince, our editors’ favorite rich-girl brand, has refined picks that are easy to wear on repeat through fall, starting at $20. — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026 In the long run, electric vehicles can displace the oil that is refined into fuel for the internal combustion engine. — Justin Worland, Time, 31 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
  • 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
  • The interactions between Bourdain and Ciro are pure movie magic and that’s due partly to the performances — both actors have to be in the Oscar race — as well as to the screenplay by Johnson, Todd Bartels, Lou Howe and Matthew Miller.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Unauthorized sequels reveal the extremes of why people make movies in the first place, from purely cynical money grabs to pure — even naive — devotion to characters and their world.
    — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • 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
  • The necklace is made up of 178 diamonds totaling about 52 carats and another seven South Sea cultured pearls.
    — Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026
Definition of cultured
Adjective
  • The five-night yacht voyages combine access to historic sites along the river and elegant, luxurious accommodations.
    — Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Featuring romantic bell sleeves, an elegant boat neckline, and an adjustable back cinch detail, this figure-forming top looks flattering on just about everyone.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • The herbal shiso adds a subtle savory depth, delivering a clean, refreshing balance to the textures and flavor.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ask someone to review a two-hour video and identify subtle violations, and they are almost guaranteed to miss something.
    — Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • The exquisite scenery is also one of the show’s biggest pulls.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At the San Sebastian property, the excellent restaurants, exquisite interior design, and passion for detail—all hallmarks of the brand—blend in like never before with a maritime landscape that hypnotizes its guests at any time of day.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • The prerequisite to knowing business value is a cost model that is comprehensive, accurate and trusted.
    — Udam Dewaraja, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • My son was diagnosed with a spontaneous variant resulting in Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, and my daughter ultimately received an accurate genetic diagnosis of Phelan-McDermid syndrome after years of unanswered questions.
    — Brad Quick, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurate
Verb
  • The red-hot Red Sox won their eighth straight and 10th of 11 and improved to 31-5 in their last 36 games.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Research has shown a link between free meal programs and learning, including a 2021 Brookings Institution study that found math performance improved in school districts that qualified for the National School Lunch program.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of refined for Spanish Speakers

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