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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Specifically, Byron’s enthusiasm for Guinness — the beer and the family — rubs him the wrong way.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Ray, grateful for the distraction, rubs my Lab behind his ears and tells me how much Michelle loved dogs.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The single-button power control is a favorite feature of our reviewer Williams, as well as the fluffy optic cleaner head that cleans and polishes her hard floors.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
25 Sep. 2025
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Next, the gel polishes themselves had to work with the specific wavelengths of the Olive & June lamp.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Revitalizing Serum, made with mostly natural ingredients including red camellia extract, smooths and illuminates the skin while its counterpart—the Revitalizing Eye Serum—wakes up the gaze.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
1 Oct. 2025
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Pequi oil helps restore moisture and add shine, aloe vera smooths frizz and hydrates, and açai extract delivers antioxidants for healthier-looking strands.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Created by Mae Martin, Wayward shines a light on the troubled teen industry through Vermont’s fictional Tall Pines Academy.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Oct. 2025
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Home to family-favorite amusement parks for kids like Story Land and Santa’s Village, this year-round vacation destination especially shines during the autumn months.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Burnishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishes. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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