1
as in evolved
being far along in development
a refined analysis of the factors that produce economic wealth in the new global economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter
refined gold
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in elegant
having or showing elegance
a refined woman with gracious manners
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in improved
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refined
Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
China has also temporarily suspended exports of refined oil products such as gasoline and jet fuel to protect its domestic supply, according to S&P Global Energy.
—Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, in Louisiana, with its cheap, abundant, and locally refined gasoline, many civilians drive these behemoths, too, so at school pickups, organizers asked parents to roll their windows down and blast music, something that joyless agents would never do.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refined
Adjective
Still, there’s room in a runner’s diet for both high‑fiber, complex carbohydrates and low‑fiber, refined options.
—Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
China has also temporarily suspended exports of refined oil products such as gasoline and jet fuel to protect its domestic supply, according to S&P Global Energy.
—Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Newer models have refined the design and added more high-tech features, but the iPhone X offers that iconic modern-day iPhone aesthetic for much cheaper; instead of spending close to $1,000, this model costs less than $165.
—Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Of course, in Louisiana, with its cheap, abundant, and locally refined gasoline, many civilians drive these behemoths, too, so at school pickups, organizers asked parents to roll their windows down and blast music, something that joyless agents would never do.
—Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refined
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refined
Adjective
-
Are human beings really that much more evolved than our Cretaceous counterparts?—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Released 18 years after 28 Weeks Later (2007), the third installment in the postapocalyptic horror series is set on one of the British Isles, where a community has flourished, isolated from the more evolved versions of the infected that still terrorize the region.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Their relationship starts as pure rivalry, shifts into a friends-with-benefits arrangement and eventually evolves into a full romantic relationship across the six-episode first season.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But Honeywell is inching up, as people anticipate receiving shares of a pure-play aerospace company and an automation and security company.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The syrupy sweetness brought to mind a pancake, while the faintly cultured cheese turned it savory.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Look for cultured cottage cheese to get an extra dose of probiotics.—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Depending on the combination, this creates either a clean, almost futuristic appeal or a soft, elegant look.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Van Beirendonck gravitates toward loud prints in bright colors and allusions to BDSM, whereas Van Saene makes elegant cocktail dresses for women with bow details and shrunken cardigans.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another camera, an eye tuned to the subtle strangeness of an otherwise ordinary day—someone or something, somewhere, must have caught a glimmer of the truth.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Vice President Vance, who is considered an isolationist, expressed private skepticism ahead of the attacks, and his relative silence during the first weeks of the war was perceived as a subtle way of distancing himself from the conflict.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Milton, who does it full-time, posts exquisite videos of the food, with mood music to suit the vibe of each or talks colorfully about the tastes.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jeannot’s timing was exquisite.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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Hedrick also won a Fiesta Bowl, in 2014, and was hailed as one of the most accurate passers in the nation.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mansfield improved to 8-12-1 overall and 4-3 in district while Legacy dropped to 18-6 and 5-2.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
My sleep schedule improved This was the earliest sign that things were changing.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refined. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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