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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in civilized
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in elegant
having or showing elegance
a refined woman with gracious manners
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
the chef's refined cuisine is one that true gourmets will appreciate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in improved
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Essence, 1 May 2025
Scandinavian design is making a refined yet powerful impact on modern American interiors, especially through the rising popularity of Nordic area rugs.
—Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The eatery was casual enough to make the parents of a toddler (and the toddler herself) feel comfortable, while the cuisine was still refined.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for refined
Adjective
Her wardrobe reflects this with refined silk pieces in pastel pinks, often associated with femininity, creating a stark contrast to those around her.
—Essence, 1 May 2025
Scandinavian design is making a refined yet powerful impact on modern American interiors, especially through the rising popularity of Nordic area rugs.
—Rowan Briggs, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
Verb
Something so refined that every detail contributes to the sense of a whole—in hindsight, only the Lexus LX 600 comes to mind as somewhat similar in the unique embodiment of overall quality.
—Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The eatery was casual enough to make the parents of a toddler (and the toddler herself) feel comfortable, while the cuisine was still refined.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for refined
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refined
Adjective
-
Transform any rejection into pure business motivation and wins.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
-
By pure chance, Prevost was shown on the MLB on FOX broadcast for that game at U.S. Cellular Field on Oct. 22, 2005, and the cameras caught him during the top of the ninth inning as the White Sox were clinching a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Two highly modern, eminently civilized nations were plunged into chaos.—
Kelly McKinney,
Chicago Tribune,
12 May 2025
-
International good faith, a sister of democracy, springs from the will of civilized nations of men to respect the rights and liberties of other nations of men.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
To bring back that upscale aesthetic, the Casino Royal will have a dress code that requires jackets for men and elegant dress for women.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
13 May 2025
-
In 2024, Evangelista made an elegant return to the Met Gala.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Vasudevan explains that cats use their paws not just for hunting or defending, but also for play and subtle communication.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
She is poised upright in a subtle nod to Michelangelo’s David, with her hands on her hips, wearing everyday, casual clothing.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
The play’s cast is excellent, particularly the exquisite, charismatic and very funny Mahira Kakkar as Ananya.—
Pamela Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
-
The 1925 designation declared that Rioja’s wines are not merely a product of geography, but of philosophy—that to label a bottle as Rioja is to name a lineage, to recognize an unbroken chain of hands shaping something enduring and exquisite.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
And they – their testimony was proven not to be accurate, that the president was not tying aid to Ukraine to the investigation.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2025
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Samantha Neely,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
With Friday’s victory, the Heat improved to 9-20 this season against teams currently with a winning record.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
-
In reading, both fourth and eighth graders’ results are down from 2022, while in math, fourth-grade scores have not improved since before the pandemic and eighth-grade scores are at their lowest in decades.—
Thibaut Delloue,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That has dropped to 2.4 since, a consequence of receiving possession in more advanced positions, rather than when facing towards his own goal as a No 6.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
-
Those exports include advanced fighter jets, missiles, radars and air-defense systems that experts say would play a pivotal role in any military conflict between Pakistan and India.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refined. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share