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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refinement
Yet Svensk’s tastes of senior competition have been much less eye-catching, with his consistency, focus and hockey sense all demanding considerable refinement.
—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
27 June 2026
The process isn’t perfect, but improving it is a matter of refinement — not blowing it all up.
—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
27 June 2026
His one-on-one defending still requires refinement.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Using a method called Hirshfield atom refinement, the researchers showed how thorium atoms share electrons, which had been difficult to prove earlier.
—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
27 June 2026
The process isn’t perfect, but improving it is a matter of refinement — not blowing it all up.
—
Lisa Jarvis,
Mercury News,
27 June 2026
His one-on-one defending still requires refinement.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
Using a method called Hirshfield atom refinement, the researchers showed how thorium atoms share electrons, which had been difficult to prove earlier.
—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
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Additionally, some home improvement stores, such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware, have collection sites, relieving the pressure of trying to completely dispose of a flag at home.
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The results showed continuous improvement in math, English language arts, science, civics and history for Miami-Dade.
Noun
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But even after a lifetime of effort to push this country forward, his story, vision and accomplishments are still just being acknowledged.
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Due to the difficulty of the greens, that feels like a major accomplishment.
Noun
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What emerged was a wardrobe that balanced sensuality, ease and elegance.
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There’s a certain elegance and sophistication to rooftop bars and restaurants captured in the American imagination.
Noun
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Patients also did not yet have access to blood transfusions, anesthesia and other lifesaving medical advances, according to the CDC, NLM and NIH.
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Thousands of fans packed Bayfront Park in Miami for Fan Fest to watch Team USA advance in the World Cup, cheering through rain and celebrating the win together.
Noun
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The laws governing a molecule are not identical to the laws governing a cell, a mind, an organization or a civilization.
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During his tour, a solar flare causes an electromagnetic disturbance that rips through the systems of civilization and into the data center.
Noun
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Since discovering the beauty of Florida more than four decades ago, Clyde Butcher has become known for his giant black-and-white photographs showing the dramatic majesty of the state’s landscape — especially the Everglades.
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Route 12, Utah The red rock majesty of Utah is on triumphant display on State Route 12, winding between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks.
Noun
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The ratings draw on data from millions of actual workers, in postings on LinkedIn, Indeed and other sites that illustrate patterns in pay, retention and advancement.
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Here is a list of the inventions and innovations, business advancements and manufacturing achievements our state pioneered in the past 250 years.
Noun
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As America turns 250, the semiquincentennial feels like a dud — a far cry from 1976’s bicentennial blowout, when pop culture and communal celebrations united a weary nation.
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With history, culture, and great places to eat, these quaint spots are ideal launchpads for exploring the natural beauty of the Golden State.
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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