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 pinnacle of rarity and refinement, this series features 100% intact cuticles and undergoes zero damaging chemical processing, bestowing unparalleled strength, luminosity, and softness for 100+ washes.
—
Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
Worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, for her 2011 wedding to Prince William, the Cartier Halo Tiara offered a notably understated and modern take on royal bridal jewelry, perfectly complementing the elegant refinement of Kate’s Alexander McQueen gown.
—Eloise Moran, InStyle, 31 Mar. 2026
And with further refinement, they could be put to use in applications ranging from precision tissue repair to environmental cleanup.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2026
The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes such as refinement of camouflage abilities.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2026
Worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, for her 2011 wedding to Prince William, the Cartier Halo Tiara offered a notably understated and modern take on royal bridal jewelry, perfectly complementing the elegant refinement of Kate’s Alexander McQueen gown.
—Eloise Moran, InStyle, 31 Mar. 2026
And with further refinement, they could be put to use in applications ranging from precision tissue repair to environmental cleanup.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2026
The observed activity could instead reflect internal neural processes such as refinement of camouflage abilities.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
-
Road improvement projects could be placed on hold or significantly delayed.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But their 72 points are an 11-point improvement from 2024-25 and 20 points better than 2023-24.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At a ceremony honoring his storied career, Murphy emphasized that his true legacy is his children, not his professional accomplishments in comedy and film.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Her distraught sister, Jennifer Metayer Smith, gave a moving eulogy on Metayer's accomplishments.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s an elegance to the togetherness, and the loss of individuality is something extraordinarily powerful and beautiful.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Kenrick’s design strikes a balance between modern elegance and Alpine warmth.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Vatican facilitates visas and local SIM cards in advance, and arranges hotels and local transportation, allowing reporters to focus on the news rather than logistics.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The pairings could be advertised in advance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These researchers, tackling the nitty-gritty of civilization, focused on Bulgaria as parasite analysis from this region had never been published.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean is now home to dozens of species, and the floating plastic island emphasizes how human civilization can influence even the most remote areas.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This advancement could bring these powerful light sources out of massive facilities and into more accessible labs, potentially reshaping research in physics, chemistry, medicine, and industry.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Apr. 2026
-
And enormous advancements in robotics, computer analytics and molecular chemistry in the early 1990s meant drug companies were primed to meet that moment.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By tapping into the brand’s deep connection to celebrity culture, the game transforms familiar faces and trending moments into interactive entertainment.—
Rachel Jacoby Zoldan,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
For full immersion in Alentejano life, the São Lourenço team has a range of activities focused on craft, culture, and cuisine.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The majesty of the natural world and the incomprehensible vastness of space are almost infinitely rearrangeable variables for documentarians.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The design captures the majesty and beauty of its origin.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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