1
as in improvement
an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill
the recent refinements in this area of medical technology
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accomplishment
a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts
had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in elegance
dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style
although she can afford all the jewelry that money can buy, she dresses with the gentle refinement that only taste can bestow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refinement
Thanks to decades of such refinements, today’s jets may be the world’s most reliable machines.
—
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
There is no shortage of menswear brands claiming refinement, but every so often one emerges that feels quietly attuned to the moment.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2026
One example, Sebban notes, involved an up-and-coming first aid brand that secured placement with a major retailer after more than a year of collaboration on design, samples, and quality refinement.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Sadiq doesn’t have big-time height, and his hands need some NFL refinement.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
There is no shortage of menswear brands claiming refinement, but every so often one emerges that feels quietly attuned to the moment.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2026
One example, Sebban notes, involved an up-and-coming first aid brand that secured placement with a major retailer after more than a year of collaboration on design, samples, and quality refinement.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Sadiq doesn’t have big-time height, and his hands need some NFL refinement.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
-
The city approved a Phase 1 revitalization plan shepherded by the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary Club to replace walls and doors in the station’s sleeping areas, along with other improvements.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The city is working with Sacramento County and Sacramento Regional Transit to identify safety improvements along the road, including possible dedicated bus lanes and pedestrian upgrades.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
When times are tough, keeping up the daily grind is a meaningful accomplishment.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Queen Victoria used the wire to congratulate President James Buchanan on the accomplishment, widely considered an engineering marvel at the time.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Where dahlias and zinnias offer structure and bold blooms, cosmos add airy elegance to any garden or cut flower arrangement.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Its high-neck design and ribbed hem and cuffs combine classic Irish texture and elegance that also keeps you toasty while walking from pub to pub.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The food and drink Guests discuss menu preferences in advance and an appropriate chef will be brought in accordingly to provide three meals a day, plus cakes at tea.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
-
However, despite rapid advances in AI models, large-scale commercial deployment remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The other emerged from Jewish disciples of Jesus, eventually becoming Christianity, carrying the ethical inheritance of the Hebrew Scriptures across civilizations.—
Calev Myers,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
At the podium, Li read out a letter from Xi, which described ancient Greece and China as two civilizations that have shaped humanity’s development from opposite sides of Eurasia.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Because of these advantages, amorphous metals have previously been used in specialized electrical components such as transformers, but applying them to automotive traction motors represents a more recent advancement.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The club has also been entwined with rap and food culture in Atlanta.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Friedlander is a pop culture and entertainment journalist based in Los Angeles who hates coffee but loves Coke Zero.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His hymn to Aten is an exercise in majesty, an ode not just to the sun but to the expanses in which our solar system circulates.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
On the 900 acres, there is a secluded secret chapel that his majesty uses for private contemplation.—
Elle Meier,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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