refined; refining
1
: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2
: to free from moral imperfection : elevate
3
: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing
refine a poetic style
4
: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5
: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
1
: to become pure or perfected
2
: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
refiner
noun
Synonyms
Examples of refine in a Sentence
The inventor of the machine spent years refining the design.
The class is meant to help you refine your writing style.
Recent Examples on the Web
This year, Chanel will be investing in data collection and processes to identify evolving hotspots and drivers of carbon emissions to sharpen and refine its transition plan.
—
Olivia Pinnock, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Chief Strategy Officer Suzi Watford, a former SiriusXM executive who also previously worked for Lewis at the Journal, has been collaborating with senior leaders for months to refine the Post's mission for the current age.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
When feasible, identifying the specific cause of illness can help guide and refine the treatment plan.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
That isn't all; Gaia will now become a test subject for scientists aiming to refine spacecraft and instrument control in space.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for refine 
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Olivia Pinnock, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Chief Strategy Officer Suzi Watford, a former SiriusXM executive who also previously worked for Lewis at the Journal, has been collaborating with senior leaders for months to refine the Post's mission for the current age.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
When feasible, identifying the specific cause of illness can help guide and refine the treatment plan.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
That isn't all; Gaia will now become a test subject for scientists aiming to refine spacecraft and instrument control in space.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for refine
Dictionary Entries Near refine
Cite this Entry
“Refine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refine. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refine
verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn 
refined; refining
1
: to come or bring to a pure state
refine sugar
2
: to make or become improved
3
: to free from what is vulgar
4
: to improve by introducing something that makes a small difference
refined upon the older methods
refiner
noun
Medical Definition
refine
transitive verb
re·fine
ri-ˈfīn
refined; refining
: to free (as sugar or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
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