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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refinement
It may be masked by his refinement, hidden behind his boyish Christmas-morning smile.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
The 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback is, above all, a refinement.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Sepulveda rail transit project advances Although far from being fully realized, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project made a key advancement in January, setting in motion further refinement of its design and addressing costs for the project.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Referencing the Korean moon jar, a monumental lily and an aerodynamic automotive prototype, the collection traced a progression from origin to transformation to forward motion, proposing innovation as refinement rather than rupture.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026
The 2026 Mazda3 Hatchback is, above all, a refinement.
—New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
Sepulveda rail transit project advances Although far from being fully realized, the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project made a key advancement in January, setting in motion further refinement of its design and addressing costs for the project.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Referencing the Korean moon jar, a monumental lily and an aerodynamic automotive prototype, the collection traced a progression from origin to transformation to forward motion, proposing innovation as refinement rather than rupture.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
-
The district would not be able to properly maintain buildings, update equipment or make other improvements without reallocating funds currently used for staff, a district spokesperson said.—
Kendrick Calfee
February 11,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
-
While both groups showed improvements, the exercise group had lower scores on the Panic Agoraphobia Scale than the relaxation group after 12 weeks.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of his most significant accomplishments in the role so far has been striking a deal with the Paris Olympic Committee for LVMH to be a main sponsor.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Yet despite all these accomplishments, Burns not only allowed inflation to gather momentum, but did so by colluding politically with the White House unlike any other Fed chair.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kate Middleton incorporated daytime elegance into her royal wardrobe with a look by Edeline Lee on Thursday in London alongside Prince William.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Despite opening in 2015, this hotel has a timeless elegance that feels like a particularly luxurious stop on San Antonio's annual parade of homes tour.—
Diana Oates,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
True to Gomis’ method, almost none of the dialogue was scripted in advance, with scenes shaped in the present tense during the shooting which took place on location, between France and a village in Guinea-Bissau.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The three group winners and the best overall runner-up advance to the quarterfinals.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At various events, Musk has detailed his vision for a Martian settlement, framing it as a necessary backup for civilization.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Then, as Musk has been prone to do, the former presidential adviser disregarded much of his previous explanation and said that building a civilization on Mars was still an option, just that building on the Moon is SpaceX’s current priority.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fashion, philanthropy celebrated at March event A fundraising event set for March 4 will combine fashion with philanthropy as ticket holders compete for a chance to win name-brand purses and designer sunglasses while supporting the advancement of women in the area, according to a release.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
More recently, advancements in automation and artificial intelligence prompted a full rebuild of the platform, resulting in the current generation of Pet Parent.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Radhika Seth is the film & culture editor at British Vogue.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This was a jubilant celebration of culture and music, not a searing piece of social commentary.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Agnes shielded her eyes and laughed at the obscene majesty of it all.—
Boris Fishman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
-
There’s a majesty to the way Hughes plays the game.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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