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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
The data gathered will support refinements in both disassembly processes and raw material recovery.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
This shorter method, employed solely for Oud Zarian, yields a resin of unusual refinement.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Nielsen’s ongoing refinements arrive as the industry tries to straddle the divergent worlds of trad TV and streaming.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Poverty rates are still far higher than the national average, job and wage growth have been slow, many residents still face disproportionate health burdens from petrochemical refinement, and wealth inequality along lines of race and income is still pronounced.
—Manann Donoghoe, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
This shorter method, employed solely for Oud Zarian, yields a resin of unusual refinement.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Nielsen’s ongoing refinements arrive as the industry tries to straddle the divergent worlds of trad TV and streaming.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Poverty rates are still far higher than the national average, job and wage growth have been slow, many residents still face disproportionate health burdens from petrochemical refinement, and wealth inequality along lines of race and income is still pronounced.
—Manann Donoghoe, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
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Healthcare organizations that implemented a lakehouse reported 42 percent faster data retrieval, a 35 percent improvement in patient outcomes, and a 28 percent reduction in diagnosis times.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The image below shows the resulting AI performance improvements.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Legend Becomes a Top 40 Bestseller Again The same compilation reenters the Top Album Sales chart, as a top 40 bestseller again — an incredible accomplishment for a project released decades ago.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the rarity or fluky quality of an accomplishment only gives it so much staying power.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This gives the outfit a cool twist without sacrificing elegance.—
Emma Mehl,
Glamour,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing more needs to be said to exhibit the chasm about to open up between two young women who share much in the way of gentility, elegance and accomplishments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The main advances came under Gustavo Alfaro and Sanchez, who many saw as slightly unfortunate to lose his job in the wake of the 2024 Copa America.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Multiple drivers fueling cost surge Some of the increases are due to advances in medical science.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But Karl Maybach’s greatest contribution to the wonders of European civilization were his enormously powerful diesel engines that gave birth to the very first high-speed trains of Europe, emphatically putting steam trains out of business.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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On a planet with 10 percent carbon dioxide, a technological civilization would need to last for at least 280,000 years for humanity to have even one neighbor in the galaxy living at the same time.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An opportunity for career advancement presents itself as the sun and Mercury align.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the head coach has been a breath of fresh air from a culture perspective, that aspect will only go so far if the team continues to lose week in and week out.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Those included defending Novo's leadership in diabetes and obesity treatment, fostering a high performance culture and realigning the company's cost base and driving efficiencies.—
Karen Gilchrist,Katrina Bishop,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The winners of the 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Award have been revealed, showcasing a spectacular selection of night sky images that reveal the majesty of ancient galaxies, nebulas, stellar cities and of course, Earth's moon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Cinematographer Jaime Ackroyd certainly captures Scotland’s majesty, but there is no character to the frames, which look like they could be plucked out of a commercial from a tourism bureau.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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