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
The rides will be free for a limited time while Waymo gathers feedback and refines the experience.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Another 30% is shipped from South Korea, but Korean imports also are at risk because Korea largely refines its base oils with crude oil from the Middle East.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Yet, China refines the vast majority of it.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Hyaluronic acid floods skin with hydration, squalane supports the skin barrier, and niacinamide smooths and refines the look of pores.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 May 2026
The law makes any violation a felony punishable by up to three years in jail and a $1,000 fine and refines the attorney general’s guidance for local elections officials’ interactions with law enforcement.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Each engagement refines the methodology.
—Jeffery Marino, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
The system then evaluates and refines those ideas, filtering out any that are not novel.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
The plant refines heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Another 30% is shipped from South Korea, but Korean imports also are at risk because Korea largely refines its base oils with crude oil from the Middle East.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Yet, China refines the vast majority of it.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Hyaluronic acid floods skin with hydration, squalane supports the skin barrier, and niacinamide smooths and refines the look of pores.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 May 2026
The law makes any violation a felony punishable by up to three years in jail and a $1,000 fine and refines the attorney general’s guidance for local elections officials’ interactions with law enforcement.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
Each engagement refines the methodology.
—Jeffery Marino, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
The system then evaluates and refines those ideas, filtering out any that are not novel.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
The plant refines heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refines
Verb
-
Traffic management will begin four hours before each match and continue up to four hours after, with residents divided on whether the requirement improves safety or creates an inconvenience.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
Operators might buy new server racks every couple of years as the technology improves.—
Marc Levy,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
2 June 2026
-
Reducing onboard noise, therefore, improves the effectiveness of the vessel’s surveillance equipment and enhances operating conditions for the crew.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refines. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
