as in improving
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Recent Examples of refining
The team plans to continue refining the design and making the system smaller and more efficient.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
Madeline Davis went to work on refining the idea, and the couple was ready to launch at the beginning of 2020.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the company has been refining the chemistry and engineering behind its process, including solvent systems and separation techniques to recover high-purity polyester and cellulose from complex textile waste streams.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
The late guru, who lived quietly on Dearborn Street in Chicago, had little public profile but a slew of devotees like Hughes, who credited him with refining their acts and would journey to Chicago to sit at his knee — metaphorically, at least.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
The world’s best swimmers spend thousands of hours refining their body movements so that their arms, legs, and torsos glide through the water with as little drag as possible.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
There was an undercurrent of confidence across the collections, where designers weren’t chasing spectacle, but instead refining their codes and pushing them forward in thoughtful ways.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Embrace your concept, but continue refining and don’t launch it yet.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Its purpose is to improve the external appearance of the nose by removing a hump, refining the tip, straightening the bridge, or making the nose appear smaller and more balanced with the rest of the face.
—Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Mar. 2026
Madeline Davis went to work on refining the idea, and the couple was ready to launch at the beginning of 2020.
—Debra Skodack, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the company has been refining the chemistry and engineering behind its process, including solvent systems and separation techniques to recover high-purity polyester and cellulose from complex textile waste streams.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Mar. 2026
The late guru, who lived quietly on Dearborn Street in Chicago, had little public profile but a slew of devotees like Hughes, who credited him with refining their acts and would journey to Chicago to sit at his knee — metaphorically, at least.
—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
The world’s best swimmers spend thousands of hours refining their body movements so that their arms, legs, and torsos glide through the water with as little drag as possible.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
There was an undercurrent of confidence across the collections, where designers weren’t chasing spectacle, but instead refining their codes and pushing them forward in thoughtful ways.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Embrace your concept, but continue refining and don’t launch it yet.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026
Its purpose is to improve the external appearance of the nose by removing a hump, refining the tip, straightening the bridge, or making the nose appear smaller and more balanced with the rest of the face.
—Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refining
Verb
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While state lawmakers have passed nearly 50 new laws aimed at improving youth mental health, Colorado Health Institute found 44% of kids who needed care last year didn't get it due to a lack of money or insurance.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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While trading away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas certainly doesn’t make the defense better on paper, the team also acquired draft capital in 2026 to go toward improving the defensive side of the ball.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There are hundreds of perennial and low-growing shrub groundcover plants, including short ornamental grasses that provide thick, dense cover, control erosion, and choke out weeds while enhancing the overall landscape.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
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Turkey has been further enhancing its border defenses to be able to respond to a potential influx of people fleeing unrest after mass antigovernment protests in Iran were met by a brutal crackdown in January that left thousands dead.—
Serra Yedikardes,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refining. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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