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
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 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
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
The rapper Jack Harlow burnished his artsy bona fides by logging slightly more interesting picks than expected.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 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
People can be skeptical when screen stars parachute into plays around Tony season to burnish their reputations.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
The rapper Jack Harlow burnished his artsy bona fides by logging slightly more interesting picks than expected.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
But here the songs are crystal clear, with the clean surfaces and spick-and-spam gleam of a factory floor.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The conductor Charlotte Rowan, who became the group’s artistic director only a few years ago, has not merely upheld its tradition of communal exactitude but honed it to a gleam.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These dogs may rub their eyes excessively due to discomfort and corneal ulcers can also develop.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
Pettis took out a paper towel and began rubbing the paints together on the easel.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
In the New Yorker, the writer Lawrence Weschler rhapsodized about the soft glow in the air here, day and night.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
Tasseled lamps fitted with low-wattage yellow bulbs cast the rooms in a murky glow.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
The secret to staying polished on hot, sticky summer days?—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
While rivals like the Tacoma and Colorado constantly reinvent themselves, Nissan tends to take the long road by refining, tweaking, and polishing instead of blowing everything up every few years.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
In addition to nourishing parched hair, this popular moisturizing shampoo maintains shine and has UV filters.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Graham wore Gianvito Rossi’s Manhattan sandals in gold metallic leather, giving the look a slim flash of shine without veering into a heavier party shoe.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The complementary conditioner dials up the moisture with shea butter, murumuru butter, and amino acids to smooth and strengthen—leaving hair soft, bouncy, and ready for styling.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Its benefits span from firming and lift to smoothing texture and tone.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In his work exist iconic signs of beloved local establishments — like the Playpen — the blinding glint reflecting off downtown’s skyline, telephone poles regarded as totems.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The bright glint to the left is Venus.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Symptoms include blurry or double vision, floaters, dark spots and trouble seeing in glare or bright light.—
Samantha Agate,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
With a glare and a snarl and youthful athleticism, the wrong side of history beckons.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
