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
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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
Because of the Prince Regent’s great interest in fashion, art, music and and literature, the era became known for an elevation in style, refinement and elegance.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
The building itself, a 13-story Art Deco gem from the 1920s, still holds onto its old-school charm and refinement, right down to the hushed lobby and three massive stone thunderbirds on its façade.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2025
Fairchild Studio: How is Panerai honoring its Luminor Marina watch for today’s consumer?
A.F.: The collection introduces a series of design refinements that enhance both aesthetics and comfort.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
There’s also a celestial display inspired by a NASA image, adding a poetic dimension while underscoring the complication’s refinement.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
The building itself, a 13-story Art Deco gem from the 1920s, still holds onto its old-school charm and refinement, right down to the hushed lobby and three massive stone thunderbirds on its façade.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2025
Fairchild Studio: How is Panerai honoring its Luminor Marina watch for today’s consumer?
A.F.: The collection introduces a series of design refinements that enhance both aesthetics and comfort.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
There’s also a celestial display inspired by a NASA image, adding a poetic dimension while underscoring the complication’s refinement.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
-
Iowa ranked 72nd in scoring and 117th in total offense under new coordinator Tim Lester last season, an improvement over the previous two years when the Hawkeyes were at or near the bottom of the FBS rankings in both categories.—
John Bohnenkamp,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
-
That’s an improvement from June, when the rate of annual inspections conducted within 16 months was just 21.2%, according to the department’s testimony.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Highlight their key strengths, skills, and accomplishments.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The note then echoes Elon Musk’s recent emails to federal workers and demand that victims justify their productivity by listing their weekly accomplishments.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Here, eight settee styles that channel elegance without stuffiness.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Burgundy whites are almost always 100% Chardonnay, known for their elegance and complexity.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There is no sign outside Hurdle’s San Diego salon, but despite the low profile, her Instagram page warns that she’s usually booked months in advance.—
Lindsy Van Gelder,
Allure,
25 Apr. 2025
-
While cancellation options are available in advance of the other three periods—broadly speaking, advertisers may back out of between 25% and 50% of their Q1, Q2 and Q3 upfront allocations—the ontological status of fall buys is a lot less equivocal.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The creatures have set up a curious civilization with a religion based around the adventures of Peter Rabbit.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The stakes are no longer just scientific recognition—but potentially the fate of human civilization.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In fact, researchers have theorized that fusion could generate nearly limitless amounts of safe and clean energy on Earth, but the scientific advancements that could make this possible on a large scale are still decades away.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Apr. 2025
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The announcement marks the first advancement toward a full agreement that was thrown into jeopardy by rounds of tense talks and Zelensky's disastrous White House visit in February.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The subject of the celebrity memoir, which grounds the novel, is the heiress of a media empire who's left to deal with a world defined by the tabloid culture her own family bred.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The real work to change CPD’s historic culture of brutality and discrimination has hardly begun.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Her majesty, the queen, is here.—
Jack Howland,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
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Evergreen trees shade the pastoral grounds, planted to simulate the majesty of being in the Rocky Mountains, the owner’s other favorite place.—
Cortney Fries,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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