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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Andy Rose, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Rather than deterring its rival, India precipitated a retaliation that ended up burnishing the Pakistani military’s reputation and boosting its domestic popularity.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 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
His legacy as one of the first openly gay politicians elected to office in the US – and the first openly gay official elected in California – was burnished in history with an Oscar-winning biopic performance from Sean Penn.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
Rather than deterring its rival, India precipitated a retaliation that ended up burnishing the Pakistani military’s reputation and boosting its domestic popularity.
—Aqil Shah, Foreign Affairs, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for burnish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnish
Noun
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Dad sat up tall, waving both hands around to his neighbors, that big gleam across his face.—
Raj Tawney,
People.com,
15 June 2025
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On opening night, the soprano’s top notes blazed out with a cool gleam, but her lower and middle registers lacked the heft needed to punch through Strauss’s dense textures.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
Once the eggs are harvested, they’re gently rubbed over a metal screen to remove them from the fish’s ovaries, then rinsed, dried and salted before being packed away in blue tins.—
Kylie Williams,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
-
Gently rub while rinsing to remove any dirt or excess fuzz.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
28 June 2025
Noun
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The sunscreen’s lightweight formula gives my skin a radiant glow instead of a chalky finish.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
28 June 2025
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To execute his signature summer glow, Turner reaches for Chanel Les Beiges Water Tint for fresh, sheer coverage.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Other procedures like polishing restorations, ceramic crowns, using elastics, orthodontic appliances, and so on can generate particles.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Most people think stand-up comics spend decades polishing their act to get good at telling jokes.—
Nate Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
Leo season gives us a chance to self-prioritize, stand out, and find our inner shine again.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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With featured guests including superstars SZA and Doja Cat, Lizzo goes for the jugular throughout her radical mixtape to excoriate exes, doubters, haters and anyone else trying to dim her shine.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
27 June 2025
Verb
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According to Richie, her new chop was a result of hair damage from keratin treatments, which uses chemicals to smooth frizzy or curly hair.—
Bella Cacciatore,
Glamour,
27 June 2025
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Offering a civic-minded channel devoted to displaying democracy in action helped smooth the path for the pay TV industry’s expansion.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Noun
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The man opened his hand, and the stadium lights reflected, at last, on a glint of silver.—
Jason Anthony,
The Atlantic,
14 June 2025
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There are also some unexpected turns, like Glinda walking down the aisle toward Fiyero and a glint of Dorothy's silver shoes, moments not found in the stage version.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Gravina’s praise for his temperament amid the media glare also left one with the impression that the FIGC president can’t be on social media, where the reels of Gattuso’s press conference shenanigans have guaranteed virality.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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There are protectors that serve many different purposes, such as protecting your TV screen from cracks, reducing glare on your screen and protecting your TV from the elements. TV surface protection Most people who are buying a TV screen protector are looking for surface protection.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnish. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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