burnished 1 of 2

burnished

2 of 2

verb

past tense of burnish

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 burnished
Adjective
The burnished shade is chic and head-turning, an ideal choice for those who prefer to stand out— seemingly without any effort. Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 17 June 2026 Unlike traditional cheesecake, which is baked low and slow in a water bath for a smooth, dense finish, Basque cheesecake embraces rustic charm with a burnished top, cracks and all. Amisha Gurbani, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026 Instead of needing to overcome the one-time stigma of tiny Gonzaga, Lloyd enjoyed a burnished reputation, having spent so much time with inarguably one of the standard bearers of the sport. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026 In contrast, with a GLP-1, people might be more inclined to take them because of their burnished reputation. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026 Stock up on lumbar and throw pillows with geometric motifs and flannel and denim bedding, burnished brass, and suede elements. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026 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
Verb
Ruto has burnished his ties with Western leaders. semafor.com, 19 June 2026 Ted Lasso and The Studio have also burnished the tech giant’s Emmy trophy shelf, taking home Best Comedy Series trophies. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 June 2026 The Tigers have only burnished their resume with impressive back-to-back playoff victories. Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 20 May 2026 The dark, burnished stew smelled faintly sweet. Restaurant Critic, Houston Chronicle, 6 May 2026 The war has widely been viewed has having burnished Beijing’s global standing, positioning China as a cornerstone of stability. Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 Wilson burnished his Hall of Fame resume with the Seattle Seahawks. Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 1 May 2026 Pakistan’s credentials have been burnished, too. Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 9 Apr. 2026 Millions of Monarchs hang from the trees like frostbitten leaves the underside of their wings exposed, burnished, and bronzed. Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
  • For a non-stuffy button-down shirt like Kidman’s, this linen option nicely balances a relaxed yet polished look.
    Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
  • The plan is to keep the AGI code open while selling polished products on top of it, with the blockchain hidden from view.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • But did Spilotro go about life as an upstanding model citizen who rubbed elbows with the Vegas elite, while quietly and stealthily protecting the Mafia's financial interests in Vegas casinos?
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • With its Jewish delis, atmospheric dive bars, and underground music scene, the Mile End neighborhood minted the defining Montreal cool of the indie aughts—a place where cardiganed Italian grandmas rubbed shoulders with tattooed creatives.
    Jen Rose Smith, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Upon entering, guests are treated to an entry foyer with a glistening floor of Brazilian cherry offset by a thin maple inlay.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
  • The streets lead to a pale-sand public beach with a fishing pier, a charming park, and glistening views of the delicate and pristine Gulf Islands.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Inside the cage was a mouse—the mouse that Renova had significantly smoothed—eliciting a few gasps from nearby assistants.
    William Norwich, Vogue, 12 June 2026
  • Ahead of opening arguments, Rinderknecht smoothed back his hair, and Haney helped adjust his tie before giving him a pat on the back.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • The moving-room intro In classic Jackass movie tradition, Best and Last opens with an elaborate, glossy introduction that coincides with the opening credits.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
  • Its glossy fabric and breezy silhouette work for countless occasions — plus, its luxe vibe dresses up outfits without a thought.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The chairs are crafted from weather-resistant PE rattan and powder-coated steel that stand up to harsh UV rays, rain, and other outdoor elements.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 June 2026
  • Each nail is coated in pink chrome powder that flashes a beetle-like green in the light.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • The thick belt has a sleek buckle that resembles this Quince version, which is made from 100-percent leather with solid metal hardware.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
  • From airy mesh fabrics to sleek, low-profile shapes, this season’s trending shoes have a way of elevating an outfit without overpowering it.
    Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Burnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnished. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on burnished

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster