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
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
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
There’s no British Tan burnished leather or stacked foam soles.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025
Oak planks burnished, bleached, and faded over decades.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
Joe Roth, who’d taken the reins at Fox, burnished his run by swooping in and keeping the film’s production start back on track.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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
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
There’s no British Tan burnished leather or stacked foam soles.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 16 Dec. 2025
Oak planks burnished, bleached, and faded over decades.
—Helen Molesworth, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025
Joe Roth, who’d taken the reins at Fox, burnished his run by swooping in and keeping the film’s production start back on track.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
-
Jim Dickinson stepped in to produce and play a little piano, but Travis deemed the results too polished, too polite, too bourgeois.—
Stephen M. Deusner,
Pitchfork,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Fulfillment, including renewal notices, tags, and reward cards, is managed by Pet Parent in a way that can help organizations provide a polished experience without maintaining separate logistics.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Johnson sighed and rubbed a hand over her head in relief.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Diners here can feast upon things like duck fat frites for brunch and espresso-rubbed steaks for dinner.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bag a table outside to fully soak up the glistening ocean panorama, interrupted only by the occasional strutting peacock.—
Harriet Compston,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Before the 1945 season, there was a cartoon of him in the paper—Big Number 7 of the Rams—and there was his face, clean and glistening, under wavy hair and wearing a perfect smile.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In some ways, Bequia remains a secret, and as such, it hasn’t been overly developed, commercialised or smoothed into sameness.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Parish and Glasner smoothed things over somewhat at dinner at London’s Ham Yard restaurant on January 21.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Holly is low maintenance, fast growing and has sharp, dark, glossy leaves with red berries.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As for glam, Berry’s makeup was clean and serene, with bold brows, smokey eyes and a slightly glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fresh white paint coated the bricks of what was once a small red-brick church where Qualls met his first wife.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Stir in Greek seasoning, thyme, and 1 teaspoon of the garlic powder; cook, stirring constantly, until beef is coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The leather upper looks sleek and classic while the insole has cushioning to provide extra comfort with every step.—
Olivia Dubyak,
InStyle,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Think sleek and cool layers and quietly assured outerwear via Khaite, Toteme, Susanna Chow, and La Ligne.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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 14 Feb. 2026.
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