Synonyms of buffing

buffing

verb

present participle of buff

1

as in rubbing

to make smooth by friction

she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rubbing
• polishing
• sanding
• grinding
• filing
• sharpening
• honing
• scraping
• smoothing
• rasping
• planing
• scouring
• shining
• glossing
• burnishing
• sandblasting
• edging
• stropping
• dressing
• regrinding
• whetting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• scuffing
• roughening
• roughing (up)
• coarsening

2

as in polishing

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure

the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polishing
• rubbing
• smoothing
• scrubbing
• shining
• burnishing
• glossing
• coating
• grinding
• scraping
• sanding
• dressing
• furbishing
• finishing
• smoothening
• varnishing
• glazing
• filing
• bobbing
• facing
• slicking
• brightening
• lacquering
• japanning
• veneering
• scouring
• sleeking
• sandblasting
• sandpapering
• lapping
• boning
• rasping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ruffling
• roughing (up)
• scuffing (up)
• roughening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of buffing

If the copper is heavily tarnished, let the toothpaste’s active ingredients work on the patina for ten minutes or so before buffing. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2026

Classes and skills lean into different styles of play; Astromech droids are entirely support-focused, generating AP (action points) and buffing the party, while the Assault is focused on heavy damage and drawing aggro. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Rapinchuk adds that a Magic Eraser is a useful cleaning tool for buffing out scuffs and marks. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026

Start by pushing back your cuticles, lightly buffing your nails, and filing the tips for a nice and tidy canvas. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026

Most people use the miracle sponge for buffing out wall or floor scuffs, but Macqueen’s recommendation is an eye-opener. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026

Use an applicator pad (often supplied with the wax) and start buffing with a fresh microfiber towel. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Ngo coats the nail with a matte primer, which creates a smooth base, before buffing eye shadow across the surface with a nail sponge. — Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 27 Apr. 2026

Keep one slightly damp microfiber cloth for cleaning and one dry microfiber cloth for buffing. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2026