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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polishing
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of buffing
Polishing is the process of buffing off the excess wax to create a shine.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
To start, apply a base coat that's similar to your nails, and finish off by buffing in a milky white hue on the tips.
—Taylor Augustin Littlejohn, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
If the bloom's appearance bothers you, remove it by applying a small amount of oil, such as cooking oil or baby oil, to a soft cloth, then gently buffing it away in a circular motion.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Application involves lightly buffing the nail, applying the adhesive, and pressing each faux nail into place.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025
To soften the color, sheer out the formula by buffing excess product onto the back your hand before applying to the face.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2026
To start, apply a base coat that's similar to your nails, and finish off by buffing in a milky white hue on the tips.
—Taylor Augustin Littlejohn, InStyle, 30 Dec. 2025
If the bloom's appearance bothers you, remove it by applying a small amount of oil, such as cooking oil or baby oil, to a soft cloth, then gently buffing it away in a circular motion.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
Application involves lightly buffing the nail, applying the adhesive, and pressing each faux nail into place.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025
To soften the color, sheer out the formula by buffing excess product onto the back your hand before applying to the face.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffing
Verb
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In fact, Carrick’s team was the stronger outfit, dominating City in a way that surely had some supporters rubbing their eyes in disbelief.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
19 Jan. 2026
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Treat stubborn stains with another dab of liquid oxygen bleach, gently rubbing it into the fibers.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Speak steadily to keep polishing your reputation.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Jan. 2026
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The hum of polishing wheels bleeds through half-open doors.—
Parin Moradiya,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The city has sanding and salting crews ready to go, Brockman added.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, other refinements included sanding and polishing the carbon-fiber composite surface.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Phased retirement can also help companies to manage the consequences of the looming workforce contraction by forestalling brain drain and smoothing succession planning — all while preserving the institutional knowledge and relationships that help companies thrive.—
Mary Moreland,
Fortune,
31 Dec. 2025
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Pour batter into prepared baking pan, spreading to edges and smoothing top.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Advanced packaging – Disco Japan's Disco manufactures processing equipment and tools for the creation of computer chips, specializing in grinding and polishing equipment, which is part of the advanced packaging process.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
20 Jan. 2026
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This grinding machinery of repression is brutally effective in the short term.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What was discussed in a more than two-hour-long executive session, Cincinnati Council members wouldn't say, filing past reporters and refusing to talk.—
Scott Wartman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Jan. 2026
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Advocates working with incarcerated survivors say that while hundreds of cases appear potentially eligible statewide, only a small subset meet the law’s narrow standards, and even fewer overcome barriers to filing decades later.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mercury fuses with Pluto in your money zone, sharpening budget choices and prompting frank talks about fair compensation.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
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So, why is a whetstone the better sharpening option?—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Buffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffing. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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