Synonyms of polish

polish 1 of 2

noun

1

as in accomplishment

a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts

acquired a great deal of polish during his year abroad

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accomplishment
• refinement
• culture
• education
• civilization
• knowledge
• cultivation
• literacy
• manners
• learning
• scholarship
• elegance
• erudition
• couth
• sophistication
• intellectualism
• cosmopolitanism
• civility
• breeding
• taste
• intellectuality
• politeness
• urbanity
• gentility
• grace
• genteelness
• class
• courtesy
• courteousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• barbarism
• ignorance
• philistinism
• illiteracy
• rusticity
• parochialism
• provincialism
• barbarianism
• vulgarity
• coarseness
• crudeness
• boorishness
• unsophistication
• churlishness
• clownishness

2

as in gleam

brightness created by light reflected from a surface

buffed the silver plate to a high polish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gleam
• glint
• glow
• shine
• glare
• sheen
• gloss
• luster
• sparkle
• shimmer
• burnish
• luminance
• illumination
• brilliance
• twinkle
• glimmer
• finish
• glaze
• irradiation
• luminescence
• blink
• glisten
• luminosity
• radiance
• iridescence
• flicker
• radiancy
• refulgence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dullness
• flatness
• drabness
• dimness
• dirtiness
• paleness
• grayness
• dinginess
• cloudiness
• gloom
• obscurity
• murkiness
• somberness
• obscureness

polish

2 of 2

verb

ˈpä-lish 

1

as in to rub

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure

you'll need to polish your shoes with a clean rag before the performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rub
• smooth
• shine
• coat
• gloss
• scrub
• burnish
• buff
• dress
• scrape
• sand
• finish
• furbish
• grind
• varnish
• slick
• glaze
• sleek
• smoothen
• bob
• face
• lacquer
• file
• brighten
• bone
• japan
• veneer
• scour
• sandblast
• sandpaper
• lap
• rasp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough (up)
• roughen
• ruffle
• scuff (up)

2

as in to finish

to bring (something) to a state where nothing remains to be done

once you polish the article a bit, it'll be ready to submit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• finish
• complete
• perfect
• get through
• consummate
• accomplish
• do
• finalize
• fulfill
• improve
• execute
• effect
• achieve
• better
• shine
• refine
• enhance
• carry out
• stick out
• perform
• follow through (with)
• enrich
• machine
• carry through
• ameliorate
• amend
• discharge
• round (off or out)
• meliorate
• touch up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• abandon
• quit
• discontinue
• desert
• forsake

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of polish

Noun

Romo’s acumen for predicting game play drew notice almost immediately, and lent new polish to a broadcast that has been around since the days of Brent Musburger and Pat Summerall. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 July 2026

Finally, the teaching team questioned—though without testing the theory—whether anyone could have produced an exam of that length and polish within four hours. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Verb

For deeper etching, a polishing compound and pad may restore the finish. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026

The cofounder of beauty‘s original subscription box Birchbox and former chief executive officer of Victoria Beckham Beauty is debuting natural nail care brand Buff Beauty, focused on healthy looking nails as opposed to polish. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 24 July 2026