1
as in improvement
an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill
the recent refinements in this area of medical technology
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in accomplishment
a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts
had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in elegance
dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style
although she can afford all the jewelry that money can buy, she dresses with the gentle refinement that only taste can bestow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refinement
The kitchen turns out dishes influenced by a range of traditions, and with the recent addition of the renowned chef Byron Rubio, the menu is reaching new heights of creativity and refinement.
—
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The data set is a refinement of Snap’s Panda-70M—developers applied different video-filtering, segmenting, and caption-generating strategies.
—The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
This ongoing process of refinement and steadfast commitment to what works has positioned the company to weather the current headwinds facing the luxury industry.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
The ballroom and formal dining room evoke old-world refinement — perfect for hosting gatherings that spill out onto the terraces, where gardens and sweeping grounds provide a dramatic setting for summer soirées or intimate evenings.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
The data set is a refinement of Snap’s Panda-70M—developers applied different video-filtering, segmenting, and caption-generating strategies.
—The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
This ongoing process of refinement and steadfast commitment to what works has positioned the company to weather the current headwinds facing the luxury industry.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2025
The ballroom and formal dining room evoke old-world refinement — perfect for hosting gatherings that spill out onto the terraces, where gardens and sweeping grounds provide a dramatic setting for summer soirées or intimate evenings.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
-
Healthcare organizations that implemented a lakehouse reported 42 percent faster data retrieval, a 35 percent improvement in patient outcomes, and a 28 percent reduction in diagnosis times.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The image below shows the resulting AI performance improvements.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Legend Becomes a Top 40 Bestseller Again The same compilation reenters the Top Album Sales chart, as a top 40 bestseller again — an incredible accomplishment for a project released decades ago.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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But the rarity or fluky quality of an accomplishment only gives it so much staying power.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This gives the outfit a cool twist without sacrificing elegance.—
Emma Mehl,
Glamour,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing more needs to be said to exhibit the chasm about to open up between two young women who share much in the way of gentility, elegance and accomplishments.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Thanks to advances in the category—stronger adhesive, sleeker designs, more varied sizing—fake nails have never looked better and lasted longer.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Liquid-fuel challenges and advances Liquid-fuel ICBMs are known for their heavy payloads and extended range but are traditionally difficult to maintain in a constant state of readiness.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But Karl Maybach’s greatest contribution to the wonders of European civilization were his enormously powerful diesel engines that gave birth to the very first high-speed trains of Europe, emphatically putting steam trains out of business.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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On a planet with 10 percent carbon dioxide, a technological civilization would need to last for at least 280,000 years for humanity to have even one neighbor in the galaxy living at the same time.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An opportunity for career advancement presents itself as the sun and Mercury align.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While the head coach has been a breath of fresh air from a culture perspective, that aspect will only go so far if the team continues to lose week in and week out.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Those included defending Novo's leadership in diabetes and obesity treatment, fostering a high performance culture and realigning the company's cost base and driving efficiencies.—
Karen Gilchrist,Katrina Bishop,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The winners of the 2025 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year Award have been revealed, showcasing a spectacular selection of night sky images that reveal the majesty of ancient galaxies, nebulas, stellar cities and of course, Earth's moon.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Cinematographer Jaime Ackroyd certainly captures Scotland’s majesty, but there is no character to the frames, which look like they could be plucked out of a commercial from a tourism bureau.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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