refinement

noun

ri-ˈfīn-mənt How to pronounce refinement (audio)
Definition of refinementnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refinement There will also be further refinements to the Liquid Glass redesign, which faced some usability and accessibility issues, as well as several bugs, just as Apple’s previous major OS redesign did. — Samuel Axon, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 The core dishes and the structure of the meal are still very much intact, but there’s been a natural refinement over time, whether that’s sourcing, technique, or presentation. — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 27 July 2026 Its particular appeal lies in the combination of effortless power, exceptional smoothness and a very distinctive level of refinement. — Morgan Korn, ABC News, 25 July 2026 While the overall package may not be all that different from its predecessor, the Z Fold 8 Ultra includes tasteful refinements that make a great phone even greater. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
  1. improvement
  2. accomplishment
  3. elegance
  4. advance
  5. civilization
  6. majesty
  7. advancement
  8. culture
Noun
  • OpenAI says improvements in system efficiency made the reductions possible.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Denver's defense was one of the best in the league last season, but there's always room for improvement.
    — Alex Wilcox, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of improvement
Noun
  • Their movements are tracked, conversations are restricted, decisions are tightly controlled, and accomplishments are rewarded with superficial incentives.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • But his bogus life story of being a wealthy Wall Street player with a college degree and other accomplishments quickly unraveled.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of accomplishment
Noun
  • Park Tower is positioned for travelers seeking European elegance and historical prestige in Argentina’s sophisticated capital.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s still a common misconception that comfort and elegance are two separate concepts, but loafers and mom jeans are two wardrobe staples that prove otherwise.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegance
Noun
  • Kramatorsk, a town in the Donbas increasingly close to Russia’s inch-by-inch advances, and Kharkiv, a city nearer the Russian border, are also heavily impacted.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The Rocket Classic and next week's Wyndham Championship are the last two tournaments left before the top 70 advance to the FedEx Cup postseason.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of advance
Noun
  • The finding also suggests the civilization would have spanned 183,000 square kilometers (70,657 square miles), an area about the size of North Dakota.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
  • But more specifically, Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s poem pinpoints how pervasively violence against women is a part of civilization’s moral decay.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Definition of civilization
Noun
  • This Tour will be remembered as Pogačar in the midst of his majesty; a relentless march towards victory which felt all but assured within the first week.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • The banks of the pool—at its best a scene of unparalleled American majesty—took on a sort of circus atmosphere as locals and tourists alike stopped by to see the disaster for themselves.
    — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Definition of majesty
Noun
  • Under such an approach, negotiations would focus first on halting the production and advancement of nuclear weapons, rather than demanding the dismantlement of North Korea's existing arsenal at the outset.
    — Se Eun Gong, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Despite Japan’s technological advancements, China continues to maintain a considerable advantage in fleet size and shipbuilding capacity.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of advancement
Noun
  • Lucky Brand is bridging music, fashion and culture to create a more meaningful connection with consumers this fall.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • In recent years and as online culture changed, Hilton toned down his public attacks and appeared to embrace fatherhood and adopt a kinder public persona, even integrating more family-friendly content on his site.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of culture

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Cite this Entry

“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of refinement for Spanish Speakers

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