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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

The secret to capturing tiny bubbles in polish is a touch of sparkle. — Loren Savini, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026 Andrew Taylor-Parr, the image director for Comme des Garçons (who actually lives in the Barbican), notices the appeal of raw materials and strong form against the modern backdrop of visual noise and commercial polish. — Alex Eagle, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

While the frame is polished to a shine, the hinge cover is 3D-printed with a matte finish. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 The red-brick nursing home tucked off a busy road in Taunton used to be a rare jewel in a beleaguered industry, polished to a high sheen. — Kay Lazar, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polish

Noun

In her new role, Danielle will help celebrate her aunt's life and accomplishments while offering a personal perspective on the woman behind the music, according to a press release announcing the appointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
But even with their growing lists of accomplishments, all three designers acknowledge that running an independent label has its challenges.

— Vogue, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

The music resolves and smoke rolls into the gallery before the screen opens up and the real Endeavour gleams in the distance, spotlighted like a mirage in the dark.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The singer-songwriter’s seventh album is their wackiest and funniest to date, with a madcap gleam coursing through its synth-pop portraits of lovable weirdos and suburban dread.

— Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of gleam

Verb

The discovery was made Wednesday in the Hickory Ridge area of east Charlotte, and responding officers report a man drenched in sweat tried to rub them down with garlic and bite them, according to an affidavit.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
True, but there are other issues that rubbed me the wrong way (sorry).

— Valerie Monroe, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of rub

Noun

Achieving such multitudes was a practice of refinement over many months, nailing the balance between wood, gourmand, and smokey facets, while still ensuring the final result wasn’t too heavy.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Playfulness keeps the level of refinement from becoming precious.

— David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 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

The relaxed legs offer plenty of room to move, while the elegant pleats create a flattering drape that helps smooth visible lines.

— Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
Unlike a traditional body lotion, the moisturizer’s lightweight, milky texture softens skin, smooths rough patches, and relieves dryness sans the greasy film.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of smooth

Verb

And digging a tunnel from the Brown to the Blue, even for a couple of miles, would probably only be completed in a decade.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The Adaptable Deck Launcher (ADL) completed its first live-fire demonstration in California on October 27, 2026.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026