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
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Recent Examples of burnished
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
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
Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
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
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
Millions of Monarchs hang from the trees like frostbitten leaves the underside of their wings exposed, burnished, and bronzed.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnished
Adjective
-
Sticking to a cotton-candy sky color palette (think blush, baby blue, and hints of lavender), the look feels equal parts playful and polished.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
-
These wide-leg trousers look equally polished at dinner or while exploring museums, but feel comfortable enough for all-day wear.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Diawara dumped off a pass to Josh Hart for an easy layup, while Doncic, lying flat on his back under the basket, looked at the closest official and rubbed his fingers together as if flashing money.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
That Docter chose to single out the axeing of a minor LGBTQ storyline and use it as an example of Pixar’s therapy-esque narratives — which Docter, as a storyteller himself, is most closely associated with — has rubbed many the wrong way.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And all of those figures will move together into a new glistening practice facility before training camp begins.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Fronting the glittering waters of the Atlantic, the Louis XIII-style promenade is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar renewal, its granite tiles buffed and smoothed, vegetation planted, and its sea lions by sculptor José Fioravanti returned to their former glory.—
Siobhan Reid,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Plus, your lawn will likely get a better cut when obstacles are removed and rough edges are smoothed.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On the walls, some embossed with seashells, are moon carvings and brass suns, glossy lacquer minibars in baby blues and oxblood reds, and wonky puzzle piece doorknobs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Separately, curtains and wallpaper adorned in smaller-scale patterns and matte finishes tend to read calmer than glossy or metallic treatments that can introduce noise and disarray.—
Jacorey Moon,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pour ¾ cup sauce over shredded beef, and toss until coated.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Don't use the glossy ad pages, which could be coated with a plastic film.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Along with their sleek styles (no cheesy paisley patterns here), these cases are filled with extra pockets and compartments to ensure easy access to your favorite products and tools.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
15 Mar. 2026
-
It's often adorned with wide straps, sleek zippers, or statement details to give the silhouette a distinctive finish while keeping the overall design streamlined.—
Jasmine Fox-Suliaman,
InStyle,
15 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 17 Mar. 2026.
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