1
as in evolved
being far along in development
a refined analysis of the factors that produce economic wealth in the new global economy
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter
refined gold
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3
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
a refined couple who have hosted many elegant benefits for organizations promoting the arts
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4
as in elegant
having or showing elegance
a refined woman with gracious manners
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
the dressmaker took a set of quite refined measurements before actually starting work
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6
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
the chef's refined cuisine is one that true gourmets will appreciate
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7
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
this is not a refined calculation of the total number of calories in the dish—just a rough estimate
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as in improved
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refined
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
The beans are fermented for 92 hours, producing refined notes of chocolate, Gruyère, and Pinot Noir.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The McMurtry Spéirling has been setting speed records for years now, though customers have spent that time waiting, as the car has been continually refined ahead of deliveries.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refined
Adjective
Manuel’s approach to narrative is as original as his sense of cinematic form, and his gift for documentary-style observation is balanced by a refined sense of style.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
The beans are fermented for 92 hours, producing refined notes of chocolate, Gruyère, and Pinot Noir.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Camel, oatmeal, and chocolate are particularly refined and a nice fit for a space like this LA home filled with cool neutrals.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The McMurtry Spéirling has been setting speed records for years now, though customers have spent that time waiting, as the car has been continually refined ahead of deliveries.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refined
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refined
Adjective
-
In the last century, scientists have found bountiful evidence of complexity and engineering in living systems that seems highly unlikely to have emerged from a world of evolved necessity.—
Andrew McDiarmid,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In all cases there is a responsibility to accept a certain degree of uncertainty, evolved thinking, and risk.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together heavy cream, plain yogurt, pure vanilla extract, and the seeds from a vanilla bean.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
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Silk For an array of colorful silk pajamas, check out the options for this pure silk pajama set.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Early in the evening, brand chief executive officer Kentaro Nishimura greeted Uma Thurman, who was wearing a Mikimoto pendant tassel necklace with 427 Akoya cultured pearls and a 12-carat tanzanite.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Skyr Skyr is an Icelandic cultured dairy product made from skim milk and thermophilic lactic acid bacteria cultures.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And after all, luxury isn’t a price point, but an elegant state of mind.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The cap-sleeve, cotton-blend top features an elegant, drapy design in the front.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The moments that could be regarded as direct criticism were rare and subtle.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The skirt is made with an intentionally creased texture and features a straight cut with a subtle flare at the hem.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Laocoön and His Sons, an exquisite marble sculpture of the legendary Trojan priest writhing in agony as he’s attacked by sea-serpents, was first unearthed in the early sixteenth-century, the only missing piece his right arm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Guests settle into plush dining chairs and couchette-style hideouts for exquisite suppers in Art Deco interiors, all while the train trundles through the British countryside.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Federal data is fluid and frequently subject to change as more detailed and accurate information becomes available.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The crucial employment snapshot is slightly delayed because of the brief government shutdown and will show whether the trajectory improved for the US labor market, which has been stuck in a low-hire and low-fire lull.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Jimmy Wales, the site’s other co-founder, has also been in the news, promoting his new book, The Seven Rules of Trust, which argues that society would be greatly improved if more people and organizations adopted the Wikipedia ethos.—
Imogen West-Knights,
The Dial,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refined. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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