as in rubs
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
burnished the floor of the ballroom to a soft luster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of burnishes
The contract, further enmeshing JPMorgan with a dominant tech player, burnishes the bank’s reputation as a leader in American finance.
—
Hugh Son,leslie Picker,laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
Unconcerned by matters like health insurance and 401(k) contributions, her presence burnishes the reputation of the magazine as an arbiter of good taste.
—New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Hugh Son,leslie Picker,laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2026
Unconcerned by matters like health insurance and 401(k) contributions, her presence burnishes the reputation of the magazine as an arbiter of good taste.
—New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burnishes
Verb
-
It can be added to marinades, soups, sauces, rubs, and is often on the table to be added to whatever dish is being served.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
11 Mar. 2026
-
What rubs us the wrong way is the suggestion that this proposal is purely about sustainability.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In one scene, her character polishes and admires the ring, allowing viewers a closer look at the remarkable stone.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The process polishes the gentle bonhomie that promises to transform even the smallest silences into celebrations.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Plus, blurs pores, smooths texture, and keeps your makeup intact for 12 hours.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As connection-building Venus activates your 3rd House of Communication, your inventive approach smooths discussions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Forchhammer tells the story of the collective where the individual never shines.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Nettspend’s music shines in its experimental corners, where the chaos briefly resolves into something more intentional.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Burnishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burnishes. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
