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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of burnished
Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
It has been burnished since, the latest evidence on Saturday.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Darker options—like black or burnished gold—are sleek and moody, while natural wood frames feel organic and warm.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Its investment in digital skills training has burnished its reputation across the continent as a company willing to provide long term partnership.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Here, Roald Dahl’s classic 1970 children’s book of the same name becomes a deeply charming (and incredibly star-studded) stop-motion adventure, bathed from top to toe in the reds, golds, and burnished oranges of fall.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
The incredible landscape is blanketed by deciduous forests, which are burnished with color in autumn.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
The result is a resurgence that has burnished nitrous’s longtime reputation among users as a cheap, easy high — and one that has leaked out of concert parking lots and into the mainstream.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
His experiences amid the Soviet Union’s death throes burnished the impression that every nation must forge its own path distinct from cookie-cutter dogma.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025
It has been burnished since, the latest evidence on Saturday.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Darker options—like black or burnished gold—are sleek and moody, while natural wood frames feel organic and warm.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
Its investment in digital skills training has burnished its reputation across the continent as a company willing to provide long term partnership.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Here, Roald Dahl’s classic 1970 children’s book of the same name becomes a deeply charming (and incredibly star-studded) stop-motion adventure, bathed from top to toe in the reds, golds, and burnished oranges of fall.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2025
The incredible landscape is blanketed by deciduous forests, which are burnished with color in autumn.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025
The result is a resurgence that has burnished nitrous’s longtime reputation among users as a cheap, easy high — and one that has leaked out of concert parking lots and into the mainstream.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
-
This white alabaster, while far from a traditional menorah, offers the sort of sophistication that suits other polished holiday decorations perfectly.—
Rachel Fletcher,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Clark’s delivery was confident, polished and emotionally resonant — drawing clear comparisons to early-2000s country stars while asserting her place as a rising voice in the genre.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes, Nat told me, Christian had rubbed some of the estrogen jelly into his skin.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Her words rubbed viewers and other contestants the wrong way, prompting a spat with fellow contestant Debbie.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Udo Kier is the perverted master of ceremonies in this three-ring circus of deviancy from director Paul Morrissey, which takes Frankenstein’s romantic necrophilia and distills it to its glistening, taboo essence.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Delicate purple, white, or lavender-pink flowers are embedded among tiny, glistening leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At its far end, the valley is enclosed by red sandstone cliffs—rock walls, towers, and outcrops the size of office buildings, smoothed and sculpted by millennia of wind and water.—
Stanley Stewart,
Air Mail,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The first is that the metallic fabric rightfully has a different texture (and potentially consistency) from the black, and that difference is glaring with that wide a stripe; reducing that width by a third or half would have smoothed that out.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Makeup artist Nina Park provided Sink with bold brows and a soft glossy lip to complete the look.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The open-concept space includes a galley kitchen with a breakfast bar and glossy stone floors.—
Katie Schultz,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Each branch is fully coated for a realistic look of snow, and shoppers say the flocking won’t shed throughout the season.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Drizzle salad with 1/4 cup of the Dressing and toss again until evenly coated.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
With its strand of diamonds, the necklace is substantial enough to leave a lasting impression when worn solo with everything from your favorite band tee or a sleek silk blouse.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Shoppers can snag durable sets like the Coolife 3-piece Luggage Set for less than $100, plus sleek carry-ons like the Wrangler 20-inch Carry-On Luggage that had thousands of buys this past month.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Pop a satin version on top of your usual night-out curls to make the 'do feel glamorous.—
Jasmine Washington,
Seventeen,
18 Jan. 2023
-
From satin pillowcases to a hydrating moisturizer, all of these products are on sale for less than $25.—
Isabel Garcia,
Peoplemag,
13 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Burnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnished. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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