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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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
The best hotel bookings sites Today, those cabins are part of the Broadmoor properties and offer rustic refinement hugged by 100,000 acres of Pike National Forest.
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Carley Thornell, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
This has been a winning MacBook design for Apple, so the company has again decided on refinement over reinvention.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
This new and updated version features the same premium materials along with some acoustic refinements and improved device compatibility.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
The information lacks a level of refinement found in most other autos when displayed on its traditional screen format.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refinement 
Carley Thornell, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
This has been a winning MacBook design for Apple, so the company has again decided on refinement over reinvention.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
This new and updated version features the same premium materials along with some acoustic refinements and improved device compatibility.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
The information lacks a level of refinement found in most other autos when displayed on its traditional screen format.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for refinement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refinement
Noun
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This aligns with a growth mindset, which emphasizes focusing on impactful tasks that drive improvement.Anthony A. Luna, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
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Sharp made extensive improvements to the property and the entire town of Boca Grande.Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Completing small segments provides a sense of accomplishment and divides a larger project into a series of smaller subsets that can be completed along the way.Allen Kopelman, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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Banuelos, 35, often praises Hadid via social media for her hard work and accomplishments in the riding world.Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Shiz student who will become The Good Witch has a kind of classical elegance — Hannon says she was inspired by Princess Grace, particularly with Grande’s hair — and skin that is opalescent.Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024
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Meanwhile, at Four Seasons Santa Fe, the introduction of Seraphim Social Beverages—two nonalcoholic red wines—brings a similar level of elegance to the Southwest.Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Canada's single-payer health plan effectively denies claims for novel prescription drugs in advance—by refusing to cover them at all.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
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Police don't know if anyone was targeted or if the attack had been planned in advance, the chief said.SCOTT BAUER, arkansasonline.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The separation of civilizations and leaders, navigable rivers that provide new routes for trade and battles, plus an overhauled diplomacy system with a new influence mechanic all offer long-term players a host of fresh challenges.Barry Collins, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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Spanning continents and cultures, these structures were often created for spiritual devotion, community living, or protection; look no further than the designs of these very cliff faces to see the bedrock beliefs of the civilizations that shaped them.Maya Chawla, Architectural Digest, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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By focusing on developing robust security measures compatible with quantum computing advancements, startups can establish themselves as leaders in the next generation of cybersecurity.Abdo Riani, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
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However, the long-term themes around technology development, including advancements in artificial intelligence, overshadow any near-term moves in Treasuries, said Charlie Ripley, senior investment strategist for Allianz Investment Management.Medha Singh, Purvi Agarwal, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In 2001, as part of a broader change in its approach to local cultures, the Chinese government began promoting tourism in the region focused on the scenic countryside and Tibetan traditions.Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 17 Dec. 2024
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While the Republicans have a culture of corruption, the Democrats have a culture of cowardice.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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Rush visits the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica and tests her writing skills by attempting to describe it in all its majesty.Krista Stevens, Longreads, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near refinement
Cite this Entry
“Refinement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refinement. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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