as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
after some much-needed polishing, the silver tea set had a brilliant burnish
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to rub
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burnish
Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Perhaps the open roasting caused the sugar to caramelize, adding a slightly bitter burnish that mitigated the awful sweetness.
—Mimi Sheraton, The Seattle Times, 25 Sep. 2018
Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
The foothills in the distance become burnished in the golden hour’s fading light.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Noun
As each streetlamp passed, the burnish of its reflected light rolled up alongside them on the asphalt, like a dolphin curious about a new boat in her waters, and then veered away.
—Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Perhaps the open roasting caused the sugar to caramelize, adding a slightly bitter burnish that mitigated the awful sweetness.
—Mimi Sheraton, The Seattle Times, 25 Sep. 2018
Verb
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 foothills in the distance become burnished in the golden hour’s fading light.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
At last, a few gleams of paving stone showed through the murk in the lane below.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Compared to the absolving gleam of latex, sloppy imperfection isn’t especially sexy.—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dip a cloth in soapy water and wring it out, then rub the surface of each globe until clean.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This anti-chafing stick from MegaBabe is my go-to to prevent soreness in the inner thigh area, where legs tend to rub together.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The decorative candle lanterns are perfect for patios, balconies, gardens, and stairways, adding a warm glow wherever they’re placed.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Rich-girl flip-flops Flip-flops underwent a huge glow-up last summer, graduating from a beachside afterthought to a genuine fashion statement.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spritz on just a little and polish with a rag or cloth to make the leaves of artificial plants shine, giving them the illusion of being real.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
In one scene, her character polishes and admires the ring, allowing viewers a closer look at the remarkable stone.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Weare thinks some of the shine on blacksmithing and other centuries-old practices could be due to fatigue over a hyper-digitalized world and poorly made products.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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This all-day, rain-or-shine celebration will be overflowing with live entertainment, festive food, family fun and plenty of Irish spirit, including special offerings from Guinness and Jameson, who will be onsite with festive surprises.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If your hair is curly, textured, or humidity-prone, Van Ess notes the formula will help to smooth unwanted frizz.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
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Elsewhere, deeper valances and vented sill covers help to smooth airflow, chrome parts—such as the bumpers and grille—are ceramic-coated, and all lights are upgraded to super-bright LEDs.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The last 16 of the FA Cup is here, and the glint of the trophy is now in sight for the teams that remain.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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And what many of those fans noticed was a glint of jewelry on Alysa Liu’s teeth.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Ski goggles Skiing goggles shield your eyes from snow, rain, the sun and glare.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
These create smoke, noise, glare, drainage issues, or visual eyesores that spill over property lines.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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