refined; refining
1
: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2
: to free from moral imperfection : elevate
3
: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
refine a poetic style
4
: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5
: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
1
: to become pure or perfected
2
: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
refiner
noun
Examples of refine in a Sentence
The inventor of the machine spent years refining the design.
The class is meant to help you refine your writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web
Name the pattern, refine the message, and choose the path that expands your reach.
—
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Those resources have enabled the company to manufacture chips that test alternate designs and rapidly iterate and refine successes—an advantage powerful enough that Google also decided to open its own fabrication facility.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Though the latter is generally known as the gold standard in skincare, retinal actually converts more efficiently into retinoic acid within the skin—delivering faster, more visible anti-aging results, helping to soften fine lines, refine texture, and improve overall skin clarity.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 25 May 2026
Speaking in Nairobi last week, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against African ores being extracted on the continent only to be refined elsewhere, arguing that Africa can no longer remain merely a source of resource extraction.
—W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
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Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026
Those resources have enabled the company to manufacture chips that test alternate designs and rapidly iterate and refine successes—an advantage powerful enough that Google also decided to open its own fabrication facility.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Though the latter is generally known as the gold standard in skincare, retinal actually converts more efficiently into retinoic acid within the skin—delivering faster, more visible anti-aging results, helping to soften fine lines, refine texture, and improve overall skin clarity.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 25 May 2026
Speaking in Nairobi last week, French President Emmanuel Macron warned against African ores being extracted on the continent only to be refined elsewhere, arguing that Africa can no longer remain merely a source of resource extraction.
—W. Gyude Moore, semafor.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refine
verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn 
refined; refining
1
: to come or bring to a pure state
refine sugar
2
: to make or become improved
3
: to free from what is vulgar
4
: to improve by introducing something that makes a small difference
refined upon the older methods
refiner
noun
Medical Definition
refine
transitive verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn
refined; refining
: to free (as sugar or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
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