as in improves
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 refines
This material then undergoes chemical treatment, where Lithion’s process extracts and refines up to 95 percent of battery materials and 98 percent of critical minerals for reuse in new batteries.
—
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Ylang-ylang delivers antioxidant-rich radiance, while pure niacinamide brightens and refines texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
China produces and refines the vast majority of the world’s supply of rare earths, key in several industries, including defense and semiconductor manufacturing.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
That ritual reboots confidence, refines your messaging flow and restores energy to pitch with clarity and conviction.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
His first narrative fictional feature, Preparation for the Next Life, refines that sense of care and gentle touch to even greater effect.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Since the 2021 release of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro flagship smartphones, Hasselblad has provided OnePlus (and its parent firm Oppo) with its digital imaging technology, which refines and improves the images taken on its smartphones' cameras.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
The high milk content and prolonged conching (which refines and polishes the chocolate) of this 33 percent bar results in melt-in-your-mouth creaminess.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
India buys Russian oil at a discount due to sanctions, refines it into gasoline and diesel, and then sells the product back to regions that have sanctioned Moscow such as Europe, said Matt Smith, an oil market analyst at Kpler.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Ylang-ylang delivers antioxidant-rich radiance, while pure niacinamide brightens and refines texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
China produces and refines the vast majority of the world’s supply of rare earths, key in several industries, including defense and semiconductor manufacturing.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2025
That ritual reboots confidence, refines your messaging flow and restores energy to pitch with clarity and conviction.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
His first narrative fictional feature, Preparation for the Next Life, refines that sense of care and gentle touch to even greater effect.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
Since the 2021 release of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro flagship smartphones, Hasselblad has provided OnePlus (and its parent firm Oppo) with its digital imaging technology, which refines and improves the images taken on its smartphones' cameras.
—Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
The high milk content and prolonged conching (which refines and polishes the chocolate) of this 33 percent bar results in melt-in-your-mouth creaminess.
—Rebecca L. Rhoades, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
India buys Russian oil at a discount due to sanctions, refines it into gasoline and diesel, and then sells the product back to regions that have sanctioned Moscow such as Europe, said Matt Smith, an oil market analyst at Kpler.
—Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refines
Verb
-
While other down jackets feature down filling all over, the Aconcagua 3 mixes traditional down with synthetic insulation in the torso, which improves its breathability and maximizes warmth and moisture resistance.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Nov. 2025
-
In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health; encourages healthy growth and the development of muscle; and improves motor and cognitive development.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
How Zurzuvae works to help combat postpartum depression Zurzuvae enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that sends signals in the brain to calm nerve activity, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health, tells SELF.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
28 Oct. 2025
-
In addition to speed and efficiency, FliCS enhances safety and operational flexibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refines. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share