as in polished
having a shiny surface or finish
bright burnished metal is used extensively in that boutique's decor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in rubbed
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of burnished
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Decked with cashmere curtains and burnished-leather bed frames, the guest rooms offer breathtaking mountain views and Western authenticity.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Warmer, more distinctive finishes such as burnished brass, bronze, and mixed materials are replacing matte black.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Mango Luisa Penny Loafer The Mango Luisa Penny Loafers put a refined spin on the wardrobe classic thanks to the burnished leather and moc-toe silhouette that’s polished and effortless.
—Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
The ground crunches on my morning walks, carpeted in burnished leaves the same colors of the hearts of flames.
—Morgan Lockhart, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Fimognari, who’s shot most of Mike Flanagan’s considerably darker-toned projects, eschews the usual overbright Christmas comedy aesthetic for a burnished veneer.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
The space features details in burnished brass and canaletto walnut, which are intended to complement the Luxury Leisurewear offering.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
The foothills in the distance become burnished in the golden hour’s fading light.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
The moment burnished the image Clinton was trying to build as someone who was willing to stand up to the party’s special interests and most loyal voting base.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2026
And under the broiler, it becomes burnished on the bird, almost candied in taste.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026
Quinton notes that burnished brass and bronze are in high demand.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
The arrival of Matsuhisa, Moncler, and Prada, along with Dior residencies and Veuve Clicquot-in-the-snow après events, has burnished that image.
—Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
Dubai’s reputation as a paradise for sun-seekers and digital nomads has been burnished on TikTok and Instagram, and in recent years the UAE has sought to formalize content creation as a profession, bringing it into the fold of its economic transformation drive.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Some of the patties come with laminated Haitian-style casements that are burnished in a deep fryer.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
Adjective
His voice sounds burnished and vital, never tired.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Decked with cashmere curtains and burnished-leather bed frames, the guest rooms offer breathtaking mountain views and Western authenticity.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
Warmer, more distinctive finishes such as burnished brass, bronze, and mixed materials are replacing matte black.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
Mango Luisa Penny Loafer The Mango Luisa Penny Loafers put a refined spin on the wardrobe classic thanks to the burnished leather and moc-toe silhouette that’s polished and effortless.
—Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025
The ground crunches on my morning walks, carpeted in burnished leaves the same colors of the hearts of flames.
—Morgan Lockhart, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Fimognari, who’s shot most of Mike Flanagan’s considerably darker-toned projects, eschews the usual overbright Christmas comedy aesthetic for a burnished veneer.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 27 Nov. 2025
The space features details in burnished brass and canaletto walnut, which are intended to complement the Luxury Leisurewear offering.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
The foothills in the distance become burnished in the golden hour’s fading light.
—Audrey T. Williams, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
The moment burnished the image Clinton was trying to build as someone who was willing to stand up to the party’s special interests and most loyal voting base.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2026
And under the broiler, it becomes burnished on the bird, almost candied in taste.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026
Quinton notes that burnished brass and bronze are in high demand.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Feb. 2026
The arrival of Matsuhisa, Moncler, and Prada, along with Dior residencies and Veuve Clicquot-in-the-snow après events, has burnished that image.
—Amy Tara Koch, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2026
Dubai’s reputation as a paradise for sun-seekers and digital nomads has been burnished on TikTok and Instagram, and in recent years the UAE has sought to formalize content creation as a profession, bringing it into the fold of its economic transformation drive.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Some of the patties come with laminated Haitian-style casements that are burnished in a deep fryer.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
-
The service Service is polished but not stiff.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Attacks on other Gulf states Qatar and Bahrain also came under attack, piercing the kingdoms’ polished image as luxurious havens in an unstable region.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pastrami just means brined, rubbed, and smoked.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Mar. 2026
-
An effort is underway to ensure people aren't being rubbed the wrong way in the Northern California city of Citrus Heights.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Directed by Jerry Morka, the video finds BigX and company rolling out old-school automobiles dipped in candy paint with glistening rims, staying true to the Texan tradition of always doing it big.—
Preezy Brown,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Then they were scooped from the pot and set on a plate to rest, glistening and congealed, revealing the color of the filling within.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The beach was filled with stones that had been smoothed to perfect ovals and circles by thousands of years of being tossed by the sea, some gray and striated with pure white, and others that when wet were the color of emeralds.—
Nicole Krauss,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Over the years, the late Queen had repeatedly smoothed Andrew’s way in life.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Place the pie plate directly on the heated stone or skillet and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the sides are set and the bottom looks dry and matte, not glossy.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The high heel and horsebit combo could also be found as part of a glossy reptilian knee-high boot.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But this pork chop, coated in a fruity and smoky guajillo barbecue sauce and pooled with a sweet habanero butter sauce, made up for any feelings of neglect.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Eleven years later, Ajo resident Bill Eltzroth complained to the county and ADEQ that the facility’s operations coated his back porch in thick black dust.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lighter shades will elevate and pair nicely with a white button-down shirt, for example, while a dark gray jean offers an edgy vibe when mixed with a sleek black top and leather handbag.—
Alexandre Marain,
Glamour,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Ivy Bronx Kegley Outdoor LED Wall Light This sleek outdoor light has a matte black finish and provides a warm, ambient glow to illuminate backyards, driveways, or patios.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Under his meticulous care, the gleaming red sports car has been souped up to generate 400-horsepower turbo performance, but retains much of the original features and feel.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The trailer features stunning images of the massive gleaming white cube that was the centerpiece of the staging and Instagram-worthy shots of the pryo and special effects that made the tour a must-see for fans.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnished. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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