as in improving
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Recent Examples of refining
However, the trio of siblings has spent months refining their routines, and Zara plans to join her parents for their next stint on stage.
—
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
For now, Leyes shows no sign of slowing down — refining a system that some in Miami’s tech circles believe could evolve into a new standard for human-centric digital protection.
—Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
The scientists have spent several years refining the material and have now optimized the production process for industrial-scale manufacturing.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
The country maintains a virtual monopoly in processing and refining the materials due to decades of government subsidies, industry expansion and lax environmental regulations.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
To find marginal gains in performance and stand out from an increasingly homogenous field of super shoes, brands are looking beyond refining the fundamentals.
—Cory Smith, Outside, 8 Jan. 2026
Decades ago, those refineries invested in expensive technology for refining it, because of their geographic proximity to Venezuela, Mexico and Canada — all sources of heavy crude.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
And never mind that Venezuelan oil isn’t suitable for refining into gasoline.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Interior designer Kelly Neely also places more of her energy into refining her year-round decor than seasonal decor.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
For now, Leyes shows no sign of slowing down — refining a system that some in Miami’s tech circles believe could evolve into a new standard for human-centric digital protection.
—Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
The scientists have spent several years refining the material and have now optimized the production process for industrial-scale manufacturing.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
The country maintains a virtual monopoly in processing and refining the materials due to decades of government subsidies, industry expansion and lax environmental regulations.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
To find marginal gains in performance and stand out from an increasingly homogenous field of super shoes, brands are looking beyond refining the fundamentals.
—Cory Smith, Outside, 8 Jan. 2026
Decades ago, those refineries invested in expensive technology for refining it, because of their geographic proximity to Venezuela, Mexico and Canada — all sources of heavy crude.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 7 Jan. 2026
And never mind that Venezuelan oil isn’t suitable for refining into gasoline.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Interior designer Kelly Neely also places more of her energy into refining her year-round decor than seasonal decor.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refining
Verb
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Corporate use cases include employee well-being programs aimed at reducing burnout and improving focus.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Lazzarini was in Turkey for talks with officials on improving humanitarian access in Gaza.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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People have been complaining about the progressively enhancing degradation in the city for weeks.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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The keyboard designer introduced models to support productivity while enhancing personal expression, crafting tools that feel like they were truly made for the user.—
Matt Emma,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refining. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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