POLISH Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

polish 1 of 2

noun

Definition of polish

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gleam

brightness created by light reflected from a surface buffed the silver plate to a high polish

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polish

2 of 2

verb

ˈpä-lish

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of polish

Noun

Nail Polish Pens Create your own nail art or tackle quick touch ups with precision polish pens that dry in about 60 seconds. — ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026 Rather than ignore anomalies or react impulsively, strategic leaders leverage their instinct to dig deeper, stress-test assumptions and uncover what’s hidden beneath corporate polish. — David Farbman, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

The women’s trophy frame is polished white with matte black lines, while the men’s is polished black with matching matte lines. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 In this installment, author Min Jin Lee recounts a factchecking trip to Sydney to polish American Hagwon, the followup to her books Free Food for Millionaires and Pachinko. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polish

Noun

Diamond earrings from Daniel’s Jewelers can celebrate everything from a graduation or promotion to a personal accomplishment that deserves considerably more recognition than a congratulatory text.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
The idea came from Christeson’s emphasis on representing and celebrating the style and accomplishments of the actual professional women whom the garments are intended for.

— Clara Hillis, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

Many of us were not a gleam in our parents’ eyes when Monterey Pop took place.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
Related Stories Cruise, declaiming every line, acting with blind bluster and a mean gleam of good-ol’-boy joy, makes Digger a walking cartoon — a larger-than-life satire of over-the-top American arrogance, like LBJ crossed with Foghorn Leghorn.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleam

Verb

Some of these practices have been reported on before, such as rubbing deodorant against colored pages from magazines to make eye shadow.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 Oct. 2026
The story takes place around the Club Rumba Royale, where white Europeans and Congolese citizens rub shoulders, and where the captivating melodies of rumba merge with aspirations and fiery debates of independence.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of rub

Verb

The image is then precision-fabricated into a 3D model that’s finished by hand — all for $2,200, about the national average of an actual wedding gown.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Chocolate moelleux and tropical sorbet, both elevated with a flavoured crumble (cardamom and lime, respectively) finished off the meal with a satisfying hit of sweetness.

— Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of finish

Noun

Normalization of the death penalty—the refinement of the technical aspect, the legal aspect, the cultural aspect—has been a centuries-long project both within and outside the government.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2026
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra brings a faster chip, redesigned thermal cooling, and better battery life, but these refinements may feel too incremental for existing Tab S11 Ultra owners.

— Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of refinement

Noun

And because water and most other liquids can’t persist on a planet’s surface without an insulating blanket of air, seeing such a glint could signal the presence of an atmosphere as well.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
Now that the greige days are finally behind us, a glint of sparkle truly delights.

— Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of glint

Verb

When asked about potential trust issues, Al Hassan pointed to the government’s history of completing projects and handling emergencies, like the pandemic.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
Add us as a Google Preferred Source Jenni Kayne, the nearly 25-year-old California lifestyle brand, is getting into the denim business, which completes its vision for full-wardrobe dressing.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026