burnishing

verb

present participle of burnish
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 burnishing He became known for poaching clients, extracting heroic sums for their work, and burnishing their reputations abroad. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 The Wolverines lost to Duke, burnishing the Blue Devils’ resume. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026 Meghan signed with talent agency WME in April 2023, in hopes of burnishing her profile in the business. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026 Shapiro brushed off questions — and Republican criticism — about burnishing his credentials for a White House run. — CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026 Murdaugh’s father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather were each elected as top prosecutors in the region, burnishing a family reputation that eventually crumbled. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 13 May 2026 And Willard’s overt emphasis on velocity led to serious gains in Boston, with the Red Sox burnishing their reputation for pitching development during his two years there. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026 The legacy of the Milan Cortina Winter Games is both physical, in new facilities and infrastructure, and intangible, burnishing Milan’s global image. — Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026 The Obama Presidential Center opening June 18 also bodes well for tourism, both in burnishing the city’s image and creating a new attraction to draw domestic and international visitors to Chicago, Reynolds said. — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnishing
  1. polishing
  2. rubbing
  3. smoothing
Verb
  • Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • The deceptively roomy, buttery-smooth leather style features a convertible crossbody strap, metal feet, interior pockets, and an outfit-polishing silhouette.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 13 June 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • Plus, extra padding around the heel helps prevent rubbing during long days on your feet.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
  • Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
Definition of rubbing
Verb
  • Spanx’s Shape Authentic 360 jeans are designed with all-over compression and a smoothing panel at the stomach that makes wearers feel snatched.
    — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 July 2026
  • Thanks to this fit of irrational exuberance, the NBA realized the benefits of cap smoothing and more-friendly contract-extension language in the collective bargaining agreement.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of smoothing

Browse Nearby Words

burnishes
burnishing
burn one's ears
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Cite this Entry

“Burnishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burnishing

Nglish: Translation of burnishing for Spanish Speakers

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