refinement
noun
re·fine·ment ri-ˈfīn-mənt 
1
: the action or process of refining
2
: the quality or state of being refined : cultivation
3
a
: a refined feature or method
b
: a highly refined distinction : subtlety
c
: a contrivance or device intended to improve or perfect
Synonyms
- advance
- advancement
- breakthrough
- enhancement
- improvement
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the recent refinements in this area of medical technology had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls
Recent Examples on the Web According to the show’s Lead Sound Effects Editor, Angelo Palazzo, the chilling auditory effect went through several months of refinement until series co-creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, were completely satisfied with it. 
Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 June 2022 But without the extra engagement that the stick shift brings, the Integra's relative lack of refinement becomes more obvious. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 26 May 2022 The painting—which portrayed a lone figure in a sublime, lush landscape—had a refinement rarely evident in Wong’s earlier pieces. Raffi Khatchadourian, The New Yorker, 9 May 2022 Unifrom is a refinement of the various aromas each hallway nook and stairwell space would capture, developed in Paris, and made in Grasse. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 All of this lurks in the background of a recent study that tests a refinement of Nigg’s idea. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2021 The Lyriq won't ever be mistaken for a Blackwing, but its refinement is in keeping with the cars that made Cadillac famous. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Arcade Paradise is, right now, quite buggy and in need of some refinement. Matt Gardner, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 The All-American coming down Tobacco Road has some refinement to do in pass protection, but this 6-4 310-pounder has the sweet feet and athleticism (4.9 40 time) to fulfill his vast expectations. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2022 See More
Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 June 2022 But without the extra engagement that the stick shift brings, the Integra's relative lack of refinement becomes more obvious. Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, 26 May 2022 The painting—which portrayed a lone figure in a sublime, lush landscape—had a refinement rarely evident in Wong’s earlier pieces. Raffi Khatchadourian, The New Yorker, 9 May 2022 Unifrom is a refinement of the various aromas each hallway nook and stairwell space would capture, developed in Paris, and made in Grasse. Cassell Ferere, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2021 All of this lurks in the background of a recent study that tests a refinement of Nigg’s idea. Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 5 Jan. 2021 The Lyriq won't ever be mistaken for a Blackwing, but its refinement is in keeping with the cars that made Cadillac famous. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 18 Aug. 2022 Arcade Paradise is, right now, quite buggy and in need of some refinement. Matt Gardner, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 The All-American coming down Tobacco Road has some refinement to do in pass protection, but this 6-4 310-pounder has the sweet feet and athleticism (4.9 40 time) to fulfill his vast expectations. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
refinement
noun
re·fine·ment ri-ˈfīn-mənt
1
: the act or process of improving something or bringing something to a pure state
refinement of sugar
2
: excellence of manners or tastes
a person of refinement
3
: a small change meant to improve something
refinement
noun
1
as in improvement
an instance of notable progress in the development of knowledge, technology, or skill the recent refinements in this area of medical technology Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- improvement
- advance
- advancement
- enhancement
- development
- innovation
- breakthrough
- discovery
- evolution
- maturation
- enlightenment
- strengthening
- amelioration
- increase
- elaboration
- renaissance
- education
- revival
- betterment
- growth
- civilization
- edification
- perfection
- melioration
- expansion
- ripening
- uplift
- upswing
- upturn
- heightening
- upgrade
- quantum leap
- renascence
- gestation
- find
- boost
- windfall
- uptrend
- invention
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduction
- breakdown
- setback
- collapse
- decrease
- impediment
- crash
- hindrance
- deterioration
- decay
- decadence
- degeneration
- decline
- lapse
- stumbling block
- impairment
- failing
- weakening
- descent
- shortcoming
- worsening
- downgrade
- lessening
- detriment
- drawback
- sinking
- diminishment
- declension
- slowing
- glitch
- languishment
- flagging
- disablement
- ebbing
2
as in education
a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts had a sense of refinement that her small hometown couldn't satisfy, so she moved to New York City to be closer to great museums and concert halls Synonyms & Similar Words
- education
- civilization
- cultivation
- accomplishment
- culture
- knowledge
- manners
- elegance
- polish
- literacy
- sophistication
- learning
- scholarship
- couth
- erudition
- intellectualism
- civility
- urbanity
- gentility
- intellectuality
- cosmopolitanism
- politeness
- breeding
- grace
- taste
- courteousness
- class
- courtesy
- genteelness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- barbarism
- philistinism
- ignorance
- rusticity
- illiteracy
- coarseness
- barbarianism
- parochialism
- crudeness
- vulgarity
- boorishness
- provincialism
- unsophistication
- churlishness
- clownishness
3
as in elegance
dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style although she can afford all the jewelry that money can buy, she dresses with the gentle refinement that only taste can bestow Synonyms & Similar Words
- elegance
- elegancy
- majesty
- gracefulness
- brilliance
- grace
- courtliness
- simplicity
- fineness
- nobility
- classiness
- sophistication
- stateliness
- luxury
- luxuriousness
- opulence
- tastefulness
- richness
- handsomeness
- sumptuousness
- nobleness
- dignity
- luxuriance
- lavishness
- taste
- grandeur
- magnificence
- artfulness
- restraint
- resplendence
- ornateness
- class
- polish
- classicism
- splendor
- glory
- exquisiteness
- plushness
- chic
- grandness
- gloriousness
- ostentation
- plushiness
- ostentatiousness
- resplendency
- showiness
- affectedness
- grandiosity
- augustness
- pretentiousness
- choiceness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inelegance
- coarseness
- crudeness
- flamboyance
- vulgarity
- gracelessness
- glitz
- gaudiness
- grotesquerie
- grotesqueness
- tastelessness
- kitsch
- tawdriness
- flashiness
- garishness
- grotesquery
- dissolvability
- dissolvable
- dissolvablenesses
- dissolve
- dissolved
- dissolved bone
- dissolvent
- dissolvents
- dissolver
- dissolvers
- dissolves
- dissolving
- dissolving shutter
- dissolvingly
- dissolvings
- dissonance
- dissonance treatment
- dissonances
- dissonancies
- dissonant
- dissonantly
- disspirit
- disspread
- dissuadable
- dissuade