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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of refinement
Edwards is known for his refinement of radiocarbon dating techniques to study climate history and ocean chemistry.
—
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The 23-year-old’s devastating speed frightens defenders but his finishing needs a lot of refinement.
—Jay Harris, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
With further refinements through the ‘80s and ‘90s, the co-axial escapement was eventually adopted by Omega for broad commercialization.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
Now, the electric SUV is on sale in the US, with more power in the base model and six months more refinement for its software.
—Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refinement 
Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
The 23-year-old’s devastating speed frightens defenders but his finishing needs a lot of refinement.
—Jay Harris, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
With further refinements through the ‘80s and ‘90s, the co-axial escapement was eventually adopted by Omega for broad commercialization.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
Now, the electric SUV is on sale in the US, with more power in the base model and six months more refinement for its software.
—Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
-
Energy efficiency has improved again with the fourth-gen LG Display OLED, and the company says that color brightness can reach 2,100 nits, which is a 40 percent improvement compared to the prior version.—
Chris Welch,
The Verge,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Season 2 was a major improvement, which was then usurped by season 3, which brought in new uniforms, new sets, and Michael Piller to head up the writing team.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Some doubted Musk’s other questionable gaming accomplishments, such as his claim to be one of the best players in the world at Diablo 4.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Biden faced criticism for failing to effectively communicate his administration's accomplishments, particularly on issues like inflation.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Erivo’s creation featured an abstract print that embodies casual elegance.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
10 Jan. 2025
-
This British brand’s collection honors wisdom, elegance, adaptability and intelligence, which are attributed to the snake in the Chinese zodiac.—
Ty Gaskins,
WWD,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
But none of the deals or technological advances have stopped the losses from piling up at the companies building flying cars.—
Michael Liedtke,
The Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2025
-
The chatbot is part of the spy agency’s drive to improve the tools available to C.I.A. analysts and its officers in the field, and to better understand adversaries’ technical advances.—
Julian E. Barnes,
New York Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Crete has long sat at the geographic crossroads of major civilizations, including Europe, Asia, and Africa.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
-
For Modi and his party, Indian civilization is inseparable from Hinduism, although critics say the party's philosophy is rooted in Hindu supremacy.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Generative User Interfaces Drive Next-Gen User Experience The rise of generative user interfaces represents a significant advancement in how users interact with applications.—
Janakiram MSV,
Forbes,
12 Jan. 2025
-
While fake kidnapping calls aimed at exploiting worried parents are a familiar tactic for some criminals, advancements in technology are making these scams far more convincing and harder to detect.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
These cultures are differentiated by the role of AI within the organization and its integration with other aspects of company culture.—
London School of Economics,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
-
But Gaiman is one of those figures who seems to particularly lend himself to tattoo culture, O’Mahony says.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Days 4-5: Yoga and Sound Healing in Agra The colossal majesty of the Taj Mahal is worth a trip in itself.—
Marion Miller,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Dec. 2024
-
People have been tippling there for more than four hundred years, and the wine list has the heft—and the persuasive majesty—of a Gutenberg Bible.—
Anthony Lane,
The New Yorker,
16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near refinement
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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