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
Relevance
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
Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 17 Dec. 2019
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
Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
The surface appears slightly mottled or burnished, giving it the feel of something that’s been hand-made and used for years.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Noun
The cream turns into a rich sauce and the cheese gets bubbly-brown; the greens towards the top burnish (kale chips!) but those underneath stay silky-soft.
—Sarah Jampel, Bon Appétit, 17 Dec. 2019
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
Verb
Millions of Monarchs hang from the trees like frostbitten leaves the underside of their wings exposed, burnished, and bronzed.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
The surface appears slightly mottled or burnished, giving it the feel of something that’s been hand-made and used for years.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
The total attendance figure for the 2025 season (4,012,470) gleams in blue on the bottom of the ring.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The building stands amid all the flash, the gleam, the wow of new Miami, something of an architectural anachronism.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And maybe the biggest reason these proposals rub people the wrong way is timing.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Just to rub it in, Horan, now aged 32, has a pub at his home.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Several years ago, the annual Ultra Music Festival moved into Bayside, introducing the waterfront green to electronica-loving fans in day-glow outfits.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Even one rainy or windy day can bring a swift end to the ephemeral light pink glow along the Tidal Basin and other sites throughout the city, jettisoning the petals altogether.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Grab your wands and polish your broomsticks, because Hogwarts is calling.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The stage puts a spotlight on smack-talk skills, functioning like a gym where wrestlers work out their character muscles, polish their submission holds and perfect their trash-talking chops in front of a panel of judges.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet behind that shine lies a hiring world that often feels closed, complex, and difficult to decode.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The bestselling DryQ uses infrared light and ionic technology to help reduce frizz, enhance shine and speed up drying time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Scrape batter into prepared baking sheet and, using a medium offset spatula, gently spread to edges, smoothing surface.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This collagen cream can help even out dark spots and smooth your skin for a healthy, luminous complexion.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sinners’spotential Oscar wins now signal the gravity of Black progress, within and beyond the industry; its potential Oscar losses carry a glint of cruelty.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Ford, Fiat Chrysler, EVs were a glint in their eye, as the saying goes, at the time.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Its glare-free screen also helps keep reflections away so you won't be distracted.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But their strategy was fouled up when the car’s occupants switched on the headlights, throwing a glare up the tote road along which the wardens had planned to sprint.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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