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
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 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
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 company may also seek to burnish other areas of business.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 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
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
-
My reflection is tall, perhaps rather like an arrow, my blond hair gleams.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Then buff the steel with a dry cloth, wiping in the same direction as the metal's grain to bring back that gleam.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Surely, that will rub some the wrong way, but the Tide have now beaten three teams that haven’t lost to anyone else in Georgia, Vanderbilt and Missouri.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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The traction offered stability, even in wet conditions, and there was no soreness or rubbing.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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From this distance, Swift detected the faint ultraviolet glow of hydroxyl (OH), the product of water molecules broken apart by sunlight, the study reports.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Still, at least there are a lot of oversize-glow-stick fights along the way.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Anthropic updated the rule in July, allowing prospective hires to polish their resumes, cover letters, and applications with the advanced tech.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Egos will not be polished but pushed to one side as Tuchel looks for chemistry and cohesion in his group.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Max sandals, which are also available in a high-shine satin or glitter style, are defined by their sculptural chunky platform, a dramatic pin-thin stiletto heel and a delicate ankle strap.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
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It was situated in an alcove, positioned in the shine of a colored light.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Touch in Sol’s fan-favorite primer smooths skin with a lightweight, velvety finish that blurs the appearance of pores and grips onto makeup in place all day.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Truly, the gadget is that girl — capable of smoothing, de-frizzing, and adding effortless bounce to your locks while granting damage-free curls thanks to Shark’s Coanda technology (which automatically wraps strands around the barrel, saving you the time and hassle of DIYing it).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With a permanent glint in his eye, Philip was the rock that kept Queen Elizabeth smiling.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Tiny fossils hint at when birds began making their mind-blowing journey to the Arctic to breed Golden autumn sunlight glints through the sedges and shrubs of the tundra in northern Alaska.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The six-inch, glare-free display makes reading easier on the eyes and includes a dark mode for nighttime reading.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Car traffic, engine noise and the glare of the headlights eventually dissuaded it from crossing the asphalt barrier.—
Ganesh Marín,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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