as in improving
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Recent Examples of refining
With his irresistible positivity, Towers, who’s spent years refining his craft, still feels like someone at the start of a much bigger story.
—
Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Committee Chair Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy, said the Local Government Committee was expected to continue refining the measure and would also work with State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant to address the hobby rocketry concerns.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
For devotees of the brand, this unusual vessel is less about reinventing yachting than refining it into something elegantly familiar.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026
Sanders has plenty of thoughts on refining the game in this day and age of the volatile transfer portal and lucrative name, image and likeness deals.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
In an era when major cruise lines usually build ships in recognizable classes, repeating and refining a successful design across several vessels, that alone makes Epic unusual.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
In other words, the lens is refining and concentrating the sound that the PAL has already shaped into a narrow beam, not creating directional audio on its own.
—New Atlas, 14 June 2026
These include refining the accessibility of Healthy Coastal Neighborhoods' Seafood Smart website, establishing a community advisory group, and providing education opportunities for area health care professionals on how to manage patients who may have high exposures.
—CBS News, 12 June 2026
The core of the trip was spending time with our artisans and reviewing and refining our tagine.
—Rebecca Cope, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Committee Chair Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy, said the Local Government Committee was expected to continue refining the measure and would also work with State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant to address the hobby rocketry concerns.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
For devotees of the brand, this unusual vessel is less about reinventing yachting than refining it into something elegantly familiar.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026
Sanders has plenty of thoughts on refining the game in this day and age of the volatile transfer portal and lucrative name, image and likeness deals.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
In an era when major cruise lines usually build ships in recognizable classes, repeating and refining a successful design across several vessels, that alone makes Epic unusual.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026
In other words, the lens is refining and concentrating the sound that the PAL has already shaped into a narrow beam, not creating directional audio on its own.
—New Atlas, 14 June 2026
These include refining the accessibility of Healthy Coastal Neighborhoods' Seafood Smart website, establishing a community advisory group, and providing education opportunities for area health care professionals on how to manage patients who may have high exposures.
—CBS News, 12 June 2026
The core of the trip was spending time with our artisans and reviewing and refining our tagine.
—Rebecca Cope, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refining
Verb
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For more than 75 years, a strong partnership between universities and the federal government has made this leadership possible—fueling innovation, strengthening our economy and improving the human condition.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
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The foundation aims to find new ways to expand today’s tent of philanthropists dedicated to improving their surrounding areas.—
James Pollard,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Layered cuts and bangs can add dimension and reduce weight, enhancing the overall look of thick hair.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
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The district’s priorities include sustaining full-day kindergarten in all elementary schools, providing free breakfast for all students, enhancing mental health training and resources for students and staff, expanding career technical education and opening new pre-K centers.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refining. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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