as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface
after some much-needed polishing, the silver tea set had a brilliant burnish
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to rub
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 burnish
Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Perhaps the open roasting caused the sugar to caramelize, adding a slightly bitter burnish that mitigated the awful sweetness.
—Mimi Sheraton, The Seattle Times, 25 Sep. 2018
Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 1 May 2025
If these artists could burnish their legacies and become part of a wider cultural conversation outside of music, then why not Pavement, the beloved ’90s indie-rock band that was about to reunite for its first concerts since 2010?
—David Renard, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Noun
As each streetlamp passed, the burnish of its reflected light rolled up alongside them on the asphalt, like a dolphin curious about a new boat in her waters, and then veered away.
—Caleb Crain, Harper's magazine, 22 July 2019
Perhaps the open roasting caused the sugar to caramelize, adding a slightly bitter burnish that mitigated the awful sweetness.
—Mimi Sheraton, The Seattle Times, 25 Sep. 2018
Verb
The following year, Lord & Taylor president Dorothy Shaver established a formal management structure for both the institute and its annual gala, streamlined operations, and helped burnish the reputation of the fledgling institution among New York’s social elite.
—Elizabeth Castaldo Lundén, The Conversation, 1 May 2025
If these artists could burnish their legacies and become part of a wider cultural conversation outside of music, then why not Pavement, the beloved ’90s indie-rock band that was about to reunite for its first concerts since 2010?
—David Renard, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
Super fine golden pearls give a gorgeous gleam while coconut, avocado and argan oils, plus squalane and vitamin E nourish skin and add radiance.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
On closer inspection, the gleam was a stainless-steel ring, bolted onto what seemed to be a large metal drum.—
Maddy Crowell,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Better yet—especially for those with a delicate face of glam—there’s no need to rub the touchless formula in once it’s applied.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
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Each evening at 6 p.m. sharp, the exclusive cadre that are the guests of Capella gather to rub elbows and swap stories.—
Christopher Cameron,
Robb Report,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Shot in Galicia, a landscape of rocky coasts and salty-blue air, this loosely biographical third feature from Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón, part of the Cannes competition slate, has a wistful, earthy glow.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
23 May 2025
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Brick walls and exposed piping contrast with wooden furniture, white couches and floor cushions and the warm glow of Noguchi lampshades.—
Lina Abascal,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
The company has also really polished its software over the years, offering lots of customization.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
23 May 2025
-
Pryor was a savant at polishing his challenging circumstances and debilitating neuroses into crowd-pleasing material, and this is broadly how he’s remembered in comedy history.—
Vulture Staff,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
The Best of Beauty winner feels moisturizing on the lips and brings plenty of shine to the equation.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
13 May 2025
-
To wit, many are amplifying their favorite colors with a drench of wet shine.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
But Ventura alleged that Combs was not in the mood to smooth things over.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2025
-
Team personnel filled the gap and smoothed it over to create a flat surface.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The images often frame Bono in shadow, with glints of light around him, lending a chiaroscuro elegance to his presence.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 May 2025
-
The glint of the sun, gleaming light, on the tops, and shadow, darkness in the troughs.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Restoring the luster Nordstrom department stores once had, and getting out from under the glare of Wall Street, is the basis for Nordstrom going private.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
16 May 2025
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The Supremes mostly sidestepped the core issue — for now While the media’s glare is on birthright citizenship, the justices carefully avoided a direct judgment on the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship clause on Thursday.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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