as in smoothes
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
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Recent Examples of burnishes
In exchange, the company burnishes its halo of high-mindedness, receives the right to feature famous works on its T-shirts, and gets to stage events in empty galleries or under an iconic glass pyramid, furthering the idea that its interests lie in Life as much as in Wear.
—
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnishes
Verb
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As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Plenty of brands already offer or are transitioning to TPO-free formulas that contain different photoinitiators (a chemical that makes gel polishes cure under a lamp instead of air-drying like regular polish) such as TPO-L, BAPO, or other resin initiators.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
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The vacuum has a fluffy optic cleaner head that not only cleans but also polishes hard floors.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Aveda Hand Relief Moisturizing Crème gets it right with a rich yet fast-absorbing formula that pairs glycerin and aloe vera for lasting hydration, while exfoliating lactic acid gently smooths rough patches.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
10 Sep. 2025
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Oliver Assayas’ topical drama The Wizard of the Kremlin, revolving around a scheming Russian spin doctor who smooths Vladimir Putin’s ascent to power in the 1990s, world premiered in Venice this afternoon.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Grand Teton National Park shines in the fall with golden aspens, dramatic peaks, and a break from summer crowds.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Sep. 2025
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Based on his races this season, 2025 may be the year his talent fully shines on the podium.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishes. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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