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

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 buffing Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 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 For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, start by sprinkling baking soda onto a damp rag, and buffing the stainless steel gently to clean and brighten. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 11 May 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 Finish by cleaning the area with the vinegar and water mixture and buffing it to a shine. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buffing
  1. rubbing
  2. polishing
  3. sanding
  4. smoothing
  5. grinding
  6. filing
  7. sharpening
Verb
  • But the comfort extends beyond the insole, as the soft fabric straps help prevent rubbing while also lending the sandals a more elevated look.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2026
  • Continue rubbing until the friction lifts the residue from the fabric.
    — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 July 2026
Definition of rubbing
Verb
  • The investment of time and money put into excavating and polishing a skeleton such as Gus would not be possible, according to Hatton, without the prospect of a high-value sale.
    — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 July 2026
  • Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026
Definition of polishing
Verb
  • Roughly a month before Kirk’s killing, Twiggs said Robinson asked for a Dremel, a tool used for sanding or grinding, to engrave bullets for an upcoming family hunting trip.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Rather than using a standard stonewash, TacticalGeek says the blade is hand-finished with sanding and polishing steps that refine the surface from coarse to fine, while the groove area uses EDM machining for extra texture and visual depth.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 July 2026
Definition of sanding
Verb
  • They’re made from four-way stretch fabric and feature a wide 4-inch waistband with tummy-smoothing support, a modest 9-inch inseam, and front and back pockets for hands-free convenience.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
  • The best eye creams for wrinkles minimize the appearance of fine lines while smoothing, firming, and hydrating your eye area.
    — Daley Quinn, Glamour, 9 July 2026
Definition of smoothing
Verb
  • With more and more families settling in cities in the second half of the 19th century, camps gave kids a refuge from the oppressive heat, rancid smells and grinding noise of summer in the city.
    — Seth T. Kannarr, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • If Ryan McMahon really did revive their season with that grinding 12-pitch at bat against Yankee-killing Rays ace Drew Rasmussen last Thursday, what can Brian Cashman do to sufficiently fix the roster for a deep postseason run?
    — Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Definition of grinding
Verb
  • Those duties include protecting estate assets, notifying creditors, maintaining financial records and filing an inventory of the estate with the court.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
  • On Monday, Mexico began filing complaints to US state and federal prosecutors to request criminal investigations, and sent cease-and-desist letters to private companies that manage US detention centers where Mexican immigrants have died.
    — Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of filing
Verb
  • Our editorial focus is sharpening around Black women as travelers, entrepreneurs, cultural architects, and community builders.
    — Daphne Bryson Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
  • Europe’s strategic periphery is not only integral to European security but is actively deepening transatlantic tensions and sharpening intra-European divisions.
    — Galip Dalay, Time, 7 July 2026
Definition of sharpening

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buffing
buffo
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Cite this Entry

“Buffing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buffing. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buffing

Nglish: Translation of buffing for Spanish Speakers

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