refine vs alter

refine and alter both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
refine	No	No	Yes	No
alter	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, alter is a hypernym of refine; that is, alter is a word with a broader meaning than refine:

Other hypernyms of refine include change, modify.

As verbs, alter is a hypernym of refine; that is, alter is a word with a broader meaning than refine:

Other hypernyms of refine include change, modify.

refine (verb)	alter (verb)
reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities	remove the ovaries of
improve or perfect by pruning or polishing	become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence
treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or intensity by polishing or purifying	insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of	make an alteration to
make more complex, intricate, or richer