Definition of "refine" []

To reduce to a pure state; purify. (verb-transitive)
To remove by purifying. (verb-transitive)
To free from coarse, unsuitable, or immoral characteristics: refined his manners; refined her speaking style. (verb-transitive)
To become free of impurities. (verb-intransitive)
To acquire polish or elegance. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "refine" in a sentence

"Three days ago I would have been certain that people in the media knew what the word refine means."
"I mean look at how they feigned ignorance about Obama's use of the word refine to somehow come out with the meaning that he was switching his position, when even the most cursory understanding of the word means to be more precise."
"In fact, the dictionary makes this characterization of the word refine:"

Words like "refine"

alter attenuate change distill

make pure modify process purify

refined refinement refiner refinery

refines refining sublimate treat