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
Checking does contain an element of theatre—a performance of over-the-top diligence that burnishes a myth but doesn’t always correlate with accuracy.
—
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnishes
Verb
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These lumps typically develop in areas of the body where the skin rubs together, and can be recurrent.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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Today's their day for extra treats, belly rubs, and squirrel-chasing adventures at the park!—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 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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Infused with sustainably sourced argan oil and boosted with vitamin E, this lightweight formula smooths frizz and flyaways instantly while adding a glassy shine.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 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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The new star shines because its surface is hot, but the energy fueling that luminosity percolates up from its core.—
Luke Keller,
Space.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Below, a white light shines out from behind the casket.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishes. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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