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
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Sharon details how this squad helps Anthropic’s business, too, burnishing its reputation as the AI lab that cares the most about AI safety and perhaps winning it a more receptive ear in the corridors of power.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
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
Like all good bistros, this one serves a roast chicken as burnished as a penny, uncharacteristically earthy and sweet thanks to the funky, flavor-intensifying power of koji.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Sharon details how this squad helps Anthropic’s business, too, burnishing its reputation as the AI lab that cares the most about AI safety and perhaps winning it a more receptive ear in the corridors of power.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
Then buff the steel with a dry cloth, wiping in the same direction as the metal's grain to bring back that gleam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Below, the Winged Victory gleams in the garden.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once the brush is clean, gently rub the bristles on a clean hand towel.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Yet another reason to make this rub yourself.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stretching to the pointed edge of the property is a 62-foot-long rectangular infinity pool adorned with mosaic tiles in swirling shapes that mimic the greenish glow of bioluminescence.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
3 Oct. 2025
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With an adequate amount of vitamin D, good sun protection, a fewer step routine and better eating habits, the glow is continuous.—
Samantha Mims,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Venus ends its Virgo run in your communication house, polishing your words with discernment.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
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Or a set of silverware to polish when stainless steel works fine?—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Experimentation lost its shine.—
Lila MacLellan,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
This lightweight oil-serum hybrid tames flyaways, locks in moisture, and adds high-gloss shine without weight.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The palate is rich with leather, oak, and dark fruit, smoothed by brown sugar and lifted by cherry brightness.—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With a permanent glint in his eye, Philip was the rock that kept Queen Elizabeth smiling.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Tiny fossils hint at when birds began making their mind-blowing journey to the Arctic to breed Golden autumn sunlight glints through the sedges and shrubs of the tundra in northern Alaska.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Available in 17 shades, MIULEE’s sheer curtains diffuse sunlight and soften glare without disrupting air flow.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
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Without his mother’s overbearing glare, Ed becomes romantically involved with Adeline Watkins (Suzanna Son), an intriguing outcast in town, and begins indulging in a spree of gruesome crimes that would later shock the nation.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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