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
Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
Platt’s brash and demanding manner also rankled some of his subordinates, who claimed they were forced out of their positions for being reluctant to cut corners or allegedly lie to the news media at his suggestion in order to burnish the city’s reputations.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 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
During his tenure, the Italian brand continued to burnish its heritage as a jeweler while also growing into a serious watchmaker that regularly breaks world records for the thinnest watches with various complications.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025
Platt’s brash and demanding manner also rankled some of his subordinates, who claimed they were forced out of their positions for being reluctant to cut corners or allegedly lie to the news media at his suggestion in order to burnish the city’s reputations.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
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Highland wasn’t even a gleam in anybody’s eye when Johnson ruled the city.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
10 Mar. 2025
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But also required is investment in new technologies that today may be only a gleam in some researcher’s eye.—
DANIEL YERGIN,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This is an effective way to acknowledge foresight without rubbing it in, says Malka Shaw, a licensed clinical social worker in Nutley, N.J.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
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After she's clambered over, Harper gently rubs her brother's back before snuggling up next to him.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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We were both immediately captivated by the mood-setting glow of what seemed like hundreds of candles lit throughout the space.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
28 Apr. 2025
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Look for the soft glow on the moon’s darkened side — that’s Earthshine, sunlight reflecting off our planet's oceans, ice caps and clouds.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The usual approach looks like this: find the job, polish your resume, hit apply, and hope for the best.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Under Ledru, Tiffany is polishing the brand by linking its legacy to the now.—
Thomas Waller,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Doses of sodium hyaluronate and niacinamide restore hydration, while lactic acid helps to unclog pores and control shine.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
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In the selfie her nails were kept short with minimal shine, creating the natural effect she’s been favoring for many months.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
Verb
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The utility is also supporting emerging business models like charging-as-a-service, rideshare electrification, and curbside charging, while engaging with key stakeholders like the Taxi & Limousine Commission and city permitting agencies to smooth the path forward.—
Stacy Noblet,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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Glycerin and panthenol help smooth and soften, while plant extracts like prickly pear support healthy-looking texture and shine.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The glint of the sun, gleaming light, on the tops, and shadow, darkness in the troughs.—
Casey Cep,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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The light from the lake glints through the windows and falls across Marcus’s face.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Under the glare of the desert floodlights, a title fight that has been quietly smoldering since Melbourne has now erupted into an open flame.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Singles players routinely react with varying intensities of glare if an opponent sends a smash in their direction, because there is often more open court at which to aim.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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