refined 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈfīnd How to pronounce refined (audio)
Definition of refinednext
1
as in evolved
being far along in development a refined analysis of the factors that produce economic wealth in the new global economy

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2
as in pure
free from added matter refined gold

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3
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living a refined couple who have hosted many elegant benefits for organizations promoting the arts

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4
as in elegant
having or showing elegance a refined woman with gracious manners

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5
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the dressmaker took a set of quite refined measurements before actually starting work

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6
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness the chef's refined cuisine is one that true gourmets will appreciate

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7
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy this is not a refined calculation of the total number of calories in the dish—just a rough estimate

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refined

2 of 2

verb

past tense of refine
as in improved
to make better worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match

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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 refined
Adjective
Antique mirrors, walls adorned with refined stucco work, and flooring made using traditional Venetian Seminato, an ancient technique involving marble inlays and a polished surface, are some of the key elements of the boutique. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 Waititi and co-screenwriter Dahvi Waller seem impervious to that refined sensibility, instead preferring to slather on the quirks, to stunningly charmless effect. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
The techniques were refined between the wars by the French, British, German, and Spanish armed forces, and during the Second World War, tens of thousands of casualties were flown across the European and Pacific theaters. — New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026 There, Gibson also refined his welding skills while working with many different metals. — The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refined
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refined
  1. evolved
  2. pure
  3. cultured
  4. elegant
  5. subtle
  6. exquisite
  7. accurate
  8. improved
Adjective
  • Electricity turned on the lights, revolutionized manufacturing, and upended our evolved biorhythms.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Whatever that means, the front fascia is given an evolved version of the old signature Opel Vizor, but now reimagined as a sweeping high-tech glass panel.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of evolved
Adjective
  • In My Own Words is a product of the enchantment and pure yearning Ne-Yo saw as fundamental to R&B.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Too obviously the gift of someone trying to seem casually cultured?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • As the war wound down, Olivier was becoming more obsessed with directing, often counting on Leigh as his cultured, measured adviser.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of cultured
Adjective
  • An all-black look never fails to look elegant and serves as a contrasting backdrop to your zebra-print bag.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Later, she’s entertained by a mouse running along the baseboard of one of London’s more elegant restaurants.
    — Sarah Crompton, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • The rash can be more subtle on darker skin tones, but a bumpy or textured feel is often present.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The last major change was the iPhone X, which dropped the home button almost a decade ago, and even that was a fairly subtle improvement.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Maybe no scene better embodies Lee’s exquisite communion with his characters than his last one, which supplies them with a hint of grace.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • From the lobby to the guest rooms, there’s an exquisite attention to detail with fine finishes, appealing textures, and a color palette carefully chosen to evoke the refined spirit of Milan.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • The forecast is accurate for a day or two but rarely predictive over weeks or months.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The important point is that a label doesn't have to be accurate to influence how a company views you.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of accurate
Verb
  • The experiments showed that CARL improved tracking performance by up to 15 percent compared with existing methods, including during tests on physical robots.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Middle East improved quarterly, but remained a drag on performance, notably for Miu Miu.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of improved

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Cite this Entry

“Refined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refined. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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