refinement synonyms

refinement

n.

  1. The act of refining

    cleaning, cleansing, purification, distillation, clarification, clarifying, draining, elutriation, depuration, detersion, cracking, filtration.

  2. Culture

    civilization, cultivation, erudition, sophistication, breeding, enlightenment, wide knowledge, lore, subtlety, science, artistic attainments, scholarship, learning; see also culture 3.

  3. Genteel feelings and behavior

    elegance, politeness, polish, good manners, good breeding, suavity, courtesy, grace, gentleness, tact, cultivation, graciousness, civility, gentility, taste, discrimination, fineness, delicacy, dignity, urbanity, savoir-faire; see also courtesy 1, elegance 1.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.