as in improving
to make better
worked on refining her backhand before the big tennis match
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Recent Examples of refining
The shop has been restoring and refining shorter wheelbase G-Wagens for years now, with the LWB Cabrio being its first stab at a longer one.
—
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Over the next decade, Hawke and Linklater met periodically to read the script, refining it with screenwriter Robert Kaplow between sessions.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Duren’s been refining with big man coach Vitaly Potapenko but has shown sparingly thus far in his career.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
China itself is the world’s biggest gold producer, refining 418 tons last year, and is also the top purchaser, importing 1,350 tons over the same period.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
So the pair is learning in real time how to take on the mussels on in this new environment, refining their approach to eradicating the mussels each year of treatment.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025
But for West Cal Commodities Global, progress means refining it intelligently.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
To improve this issue, companies are working on refining both technology and management systems.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, and phishing emails that once looked laughably fake can now be nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Over the next decade, Hawke and Linklater met periodically to read the script, refining it with screenwriter Robert Kaplow between sessions.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
Duren’s been refining with big man coach Vitaly Potapenko but has shown sparingly thus far in his career.
—Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
China itself is the world’s biggest gold producer, refining 418 tons last year, and is also the top purchaser, importing 1,350 tons over the same period.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
So the pair is learning in real time how to take on the mussels on in this new environment, refining their approach to eradicating the mussels each year of treatment.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2025
But for West Cal Commodities Global, progress means refining it intelligently.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
To improve this issue, companies are working on refining both technology and management systems.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, and phishing emails that once looked laughably fake can now be nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refining
Verb
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The Perfect Gift for Coffee Aficionados Beyond improving your own morning routine, Gaines’ vanilla sugar blend is also a thoughtful gift.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
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After a game where everything wasn’t smooth sailing – Chicago had plenty of pre-snap penalties and Williams’ two fumbles came on botched snaps with the center – the young quarterback says these experiences are important if the team are going to continue improving.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Central Indiana Cycling, a bicycling advocacy organization, praised the HAWK signals and other design features like raised crosswalks for enhancing safety.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
22 Oct. 2025
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Antipsychotic medications can reduce hallucinations and delusions, while therapies and rehabilitations can address specific concerns, like teaching cognitive techniques or enhancing social skills to interact with others.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refining. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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